Robyn Eckhardt writes: I've noticed some Laos wince if I order som tam (green papaya salad). That was before I managed to master the Lao name for this dish (which may or may not have originated in Laos -- can't find definitive information on this but if you have some feel free to weigh in): dtam mak huhng. Dtam mak huhng (please don't call it Lao som tam) has a few elements in common with its Thai cousin: green papaya of course, garlic, peanuts, and chilies. Lime juice plays a minor role in Lao green papaya salad; in ...