Internet users confused, amused, even irate after DBP tweets correct way to spell ‘tose’

PETALING JAYA: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) had internet users confused, amused and even irate after tweeting the Malay spelling of “tose”.

In a Twitter post Monday (Oct 17), DBP said “tose” was the correct spelling instead of “tosai” for the Indian dish loved by many Malaysians.

In response, Twitter user @vivek_sarati said “It’s thosai. Don’t simply change the spelling of another ethnic group’s food.”

@jun_2295 tweeted, “Dont tell us how to spell our own food.”

@happypankaj had a lengthier response, telling DBP that they spelt their own way, which did not give an accurate depiction.

“If you don’t know, ask those who do, don’t just make up any word as you wish.”

@fukshal tweeted, “In the Tamil pronunciation, it’s thosai, pronounced ‘thaw’ (like ice melting) and ‘sad’ without sounding the ‘d’.”

Many also left tongue-in-cheek responses to DBP’s social media post.

The “tose” reveal left @kraftwurker questioning their life, saying, “Seriously? Everything I know is wrong.”

User @koleksijawi said he or she could not care less about the spelling and would rather focus on the tastiness of the dish, particularly “thosai masala” when paired with coffee.

“I don’t care if it’s tosai, tose or dosa. What I know is that it’s delicious and it’s my diet food.”

Thosai is a South Indian thin, savoury pancake made from a batter of various fermented pulses and rice flour, which is then cooked on a flat gridle.