calama
Very Low (Specialised/Colloquial)Informal, Humorous, Restaurant/Bar Slang
Definition
Meaning
An informal, often humorous or regional name for calamari (squid as food).
A colloquial term for squid, primarily when referring to it as a menu item or prepared dish (e.g., fried calamari).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is not standard in formal dictionaries. It functions as a clipped, playful, or dialectal form of 'calamari', often implying familiarity or casualness. It is rarely used in written English except in very informal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more likely to be encountered in British informal/pub contexts, though still very rare in both varieties. The full form 'calamari' is standard in both.
Connotations
Playful, informal, sometimes used to sound charmingly rustic or unpretentious.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. It is not a mainstream word and is unknown to many speakers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Let's have [some] calama.I'll try the fried calama.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Everyday
Only in very informal conversation, typically in a restaurant or pub setting. E.g., 'Fancy sharing some calama?'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The menu has fried calama.
- Do you like calama?
- We ordered a portion of calama to start.
- 'Calama' is just a casual way of saying calamari.
- The bistro's speciality was its lightly battered calama, served with a garlic aioli.
- The term 'calama', while charmingly informal, would be out of place on a fine-dining menu.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Calamari' lost its 'ri' because it was too fancy – leaving just the casual 'calama'.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMALITY IS SHORTENING (a clipped word signals casualness).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'калам' (a pun/witticism) or 'калама' (a type of reed pen). This is purely a food term.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'calama' in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a standard, widely recognised word.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'calama' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not found in standard dictionaries. It is a colloquial, clipped form of 'calamari' used very informally.
No. You should always use the standard term 'calamari' or 'squid' in any formal or academic writing.
Many may not, as it is very niche slang. Context (e.g., being in a restaurant) helps. The full word 'calamari' is universally understood.
It is used exclusively as a noun, specifically a mass noun (like 'food' or 'seafood').