Word: nuoc
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...been spared mass panic, though nerves were frayed by the news from the north. The only clear sign of unease was the precautionary actions taken by many people. Hoarding pushed up the price of rice by some 10%. Housewives were stashing away three-month supplies of Nuoc Mam, the redolent fish sauce. Businessmen were transferring piasters from Vietnamese banks to the local branches of U.S. banks, hoping they would prove safer if the Communists came...
After two hours of this, the parties abandoned business to walk in the secluded rear garden and exchange small talk. The Vietnamese served cha gio, snacks of fish covered with thin rice wafers and dipped in the inevitable fermented fish oil, nuoc mam. Withdrawing to discuss the U.S. position among themselves, the Communists then returned to talk seriously, but often ambiguously, for another two hours. They kept complaining that the Americans simply did not understand their position. Says Kissinger: "They behaved correctly. Their personal behavior was impeccable, and I have great respect for them as individuals. They were tough, tenacious...
...guard was now permanently established: six North Vietnamese and nine Khmers. None of us spoke the other's language, but we talked just the same and in a short time became remarkably close. When I asked for water, I said "nuoc," or "bat lua" when I wanted a light for my cigarette, or "cam on" when the light was provided. For every Vietnamese or Khmer word I learned, they demanded to know the equivalent in "Washington." I found out that the small oil lamp every soldier carries with him is called a caiden. After I used the word...