[Assam] "Non-Veg"

[uttam borthakur]

JS:

This is an interesting question.

Vegetarian used as a noun should mean one who does not take any food other than vegetables or derived out of vegetables. I do not know whether 'rice' is a vegetable or not. This definition would rule out dairy products as well.

I think vegetarian used as a noun would exclude those people, who eat flesh or egg. As an adjective, as in vegetarian food, it would qualify those food that are not flesh or egg.
 
So you see, the term would convey a meaning in general (in popular parlance) and the de-construction part may be that of the person who takes cognisance. 

I found that on-line Merriam Webster dictionary has an entry for this word under the prefix NON. Also, there are numerous sites referring to  the term non-vegetarian. So, it is in use; and whether or not used in a particular community it is a part of the vocabulary of a considerable size of English speaking and English reading population of the world. 

I do not know whether you are acquainted with the name of Professor Golok Chandra Goswami. He's an expert of the Oxomiya language. Now there was a controversy between us friends as to whether there can be terms like "BHORIR POTHAN" and "MUROR XITHAN". Because, PADA + STHAN( legs + place) are fused (xomaxbaddha roop) into POTHAN. So, some people suggested that use of the word BHORIR before POTHAN would be an absurdity! When the debate raged, I had chanced upon this illustrious professor and placed the question for his arbitration, because, such terms were used by Late Mitra Dev Mahanta in "Mou-Mahabharat" at PRASTUTI PARBA. 

The good professor with great patience explained to me that there are certain thing in a language called STREAM-ROLLER of ANALOGY. So, both BHORIR POTHAN and MUROR XITHAN are correct though they are apparent inexactitude.He said that it needs broader mindset to enrich language and culture!
Uttam Kumar Borthakur




________________________________
From: Jyotirmoy Sharma <jyotirmoy.sharma at gmail.com>
To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world <assam at assamnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 4 February, 2009 7:05:44 PM
Subject: [Assam] "Non-Veg"

Sorry ..not an adult joke :-)
Does anyone know if the word "non-veg" is used anywhere outside India ?
I think it is actually a wrong use of the English language to describe
people who eat both vegetarian and meat products. I am not aware of any word
that describes people who fall in this category. I only hear the word from
Indians and Indian restaurants.
Just curious.
JS
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