tôm-tôm

See also: tom-tom

Macanese

Etymology

Sense 1 (and possibly 2) derive from reduplication of Cantonese 糖 (“sugar; candy”), with the reduplication either taking place internally in Macanese or within Cantonese, as part of baby-speak. Influence from French bonbon also possible, but less likely.

Noun

tôm-tôm

1. a piece of candy, wrapped in paper
2. dried animal excrement, especially from a dog or a cat
3. (derogatory) a name for Macanese descendants living in Hong Kong

See also

• Macau-Paio (“pejorative name given to Macanese living in Macau by the tom-toms”)

References

• https://www.macaneselibrary.org/pub/english/uipatua.htm