The dish is too hot ???

[whl626]

As I came across this dialogue, I shoved it into my site and I wonder if ' The dish is too hot ' means a very sought-after dish or a dish that gives mouth burning effect on eating.

At first glance, I thought it meant the latter but after reading through it, I think the waiter meant the former. Right ?

http://www.englishdaily626.com/conversation.php?081

Thanks in advance

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by whl626

As I came across this dialogue, I shoved it into my site and I wonder if ' The dish is too hot ' means a very sought-after dish or a dish that gives mouth burning effect on eating.

At first glance, I thought it meant the latter but after reading through it, I think the waiter meant the former. Right ?

http://www.englishdaily626.com/conversation.php?081

Thanks in advance

Rita rightly assumes "too hot" means too spicy because the Waiter uses "too hot" within a context that refers to dishes being "too hot" to eat. The waiter, though, uses "too hot" to mean, it's a sought-after item. His usage is awkward.

Rita: I'd like to order the special please.
Waiter: I'm sorry you can't do that. The dish is too hot.
Rita: Please don't tell me what I can or cannot eat. I love spicy food. I can eat it so bring me the special no matter how hot it is.
Waiter: It's not spicy, I meant it's a hot item tonight and we've sold out. The special is unavailable
Rita: Ah, sorry.

I have to agree with Rita on this. I would have made the same assumption. The reason being, when it comes to food, "too hot" isn't usually used to mean, highly sought-after. The norm would be "It's a hot dish (i.e., it's selling fast!/ It's sold out.)".

EX: You can't order that. It's a hot dish.
Meaning #1: It's spicy.
Meaning #2: It's sold out.

All the best, :D

[twostep]

In AE also used for women - too hot - too good looking, out of reach

[Joe]

Cas, when it comes to food, what is the antonym of "hot" or "spicy"?

:)

[Tdol]

Plain
Bland (though this has a negative sense)