Cantonese Slang of the Week: Fried squid

Fried squid: 炒魷魚 (caau² jau⁴ jyu⁴)

Here’s a tip: If anyone ever asks you in Cantonese if you want fried squid—say no. In Cantonese, “caau jau jyu” is more than just a dish you eat in a restaurant, it actually means to get fired from work. The story goes that back in the day, many employers would provide their staff with accommodation, especially those who came from out of town. This attracted many people to come to Hong Kong to find work, with nothing but a blanket and a few essentials.

If they ever got laid off or fired from the job, all they had to do was roll up their blankets, pack up their things, and go. Many people thought that these rolled-up blankets looked like pieces of squid, which curl and roll up when it gets cooked. And so people started replacing the words “laid off” and “fired” with “caau jau jyu,” so that it wouldn’t sound as harsh.