single word requests - Is there a term for something that is tainted with another's saliva?


From The Encyclopedia Britannica:



"Food left on plates after eating is defined as garbage (jutha) because it has been polluted by the eater’s saliva. It may be handled in the family.



Is there an English word for something that is not eatable or usable by others because it has someone's saliva on it?



Answer



I do not believe there is a single word that exactly means the same as jutha, as that concept is particular to Hinduism. We would use the word as a loanword if necessary to be specific.


However, there are several general terms for left over food from plates, as opposed to leftover food which was never served (that being called leftovers).



  • slops

  • swill (specific to food waste given to pigs)

  • scraps

  • food waste

  • remains



As an aside, whilst this concept persists as a religious observance, there is the opposite end of the scale that should be more widely known, see the Filipino slum food pagpag.


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