Definition of the word chop suey

The origin of the word "chop suey" is a topic of debate among linguists and historians. However, most sources agree that it originated in the late 19th century in America's Chinese-American communities. One popular theory suggests that the word comes from Cantonese "tsāp sūi", which translates to "odds and ends". According to this theory, chop suey was a dish made by using various leftover ingredients to create a new dish. In Cantonese, "chop" means "to chop" and "suey" means "odds and ends". Another theory suggests that "chop suey" was created as a way for Chinese immigrants to avoid anti-Chinese sentiment. In this theory, the dish's name was deliberately made to be difficult to pronounce and remember, in the hopes that people would quickly forget what they ordered and not associate it with Chinese cuisine. Regardless of its origin, the dish became popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to its convenience and affordability. It was often served in Chinatown restaurants as a fast-food alternative to traditional Chinese dishes. Today, the term "chop suey" is sometimes used as a catch-all term for stir-fry dishes made with various vegetables and meats, but it is less commonly used in Chinese-American cuisine.