"Nom Nom" Goes International

Rachel Tepper Paley
·Editor
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Illustration credit: Tumblr/chapmangamo

What’s the word for the sound people make when they chow down? It depends where you are in the world, according to this nifty graphic by artist James Chapman.

It’s “gnam” in Italy, “mampf” in Germany, and “chomp” in England. Also, can we talk about how in Japan it’s “paku paku?” You keep being you, Japan.

Also, Estonia, Italy, and Korea—”Naam,” “Gnam,” and “Nyam,” respectively—are part of a club we’d like to join. We’ve already got a lot in common; America isn’t featured, but if it was, our word would totally be “NOM" or "NOMZ." (Usage: "NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM.")

This particular drawing isn’t available for purchase, but plenty others by Chapman are available on his Etsy page, including one titled, “How to Sound Like a Cat in 10 Languages.”

We like you, James. Be our friend.

[via Laughing Squid]