Shitake

Monday, May 10, 2004 | comments (4)
Shitake. As in the mushroom. Or is it 'shiitake?' Merriam-Webmaster doesn't seem to mind. I don't mind either. I guess shiitake is technicaly correct. But either way, you know what I mean, right?

Yes, it has occured to me that I like this word, shitake. Last week a friend ordered shitake mushroom roll at Cafe Asia, and I thought, 'I need to use that word more often.' I like the way it looks. I like the way it sounds. I like the way it roles off the tongue. shE-'t￤-kE. It also looks like this: Shit-ache. Or this: Shi-tak-eh?

If you're trying to censor words on a discussion forum and you want to censor the word 'shit,' then you are at risk for also censoring 'shitake,' which would be a shame. Of course, you could always spell it the true way. Then you'd have nothing to worry about.

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Comments

It is indeed "shiitake". Just queried Tobeta-san at the desk next to mine.

Posted by mitch on May 11, 2004 at 1:28:33 AM
Strangely enough, I have never eaten a shiitake mushroom in my nearly four years in Japan. The word actually highlights one of the trickiest parts of Japanese for me - those extra sounds that are very easy to forget in Japanese words. Even more frustrating is the fact that these differences are very clear and obvious to Japanese people which means you look really silly in Japan when you leave out or add an "i", "u", or "o", but often almost imperceptible to western ears like mine. Sort of like how most Japanese see no difference between the english "l" and "r".

BTW, I'll be moving (relatively) close to you come August. I'm starting grad school in Ohio at Kent State then.

Posted by mitch on May 11, 2004 at 2:35:17 AM
Ah, well. I guess Merriam-Webster has lower standards! Congrats on starting grad school. I'm bummed I never did make a trip out to Japan to see you. I'll drop you an email with some other news.

Posted by Rothko on May 11, 2004 at 10:14:50 AM
Mushroom! Mushroom!

Posted by Sparkle on May 14, 2004 at 9:53:28 PM

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