(いた)ガム

いたがむ
noun
stick gum; slab gum
1. stick gum; slab gum; flat chewing gum
Chewing gum in the traditional flat, rectangular stick form, as opposed to pellet-type gum (粒ガム). A common everyday product in Japan.
(いた)ガムを一枚(いちまい)()む。
To chew a stick of gum.
最近(さいきん)(いた)ガムより(つぶ)ガムのほうが人気(にんき)がある。
Recently, pellet gum is more popular than stick gum.
()どものころ、駄菓子屋(だがしや)(いた)ガムをよく()っていた。
When I was a kid, I often bought stick gum at the penny candy store.

Compound of (いた) (flat board) + ガム (gum). Refers to the traditional flat, rectangular stick form of chewing gum.

COUNTER:
Counted with (まい) (counter for flat things): 一枚(いちまい)二枚(にまい).

CONTRAST:

  • (いた)ガム: stick/slab gum (traditional flat shape)
  • (つぶ)ガム: pellet gum (small, coated pieces — now more popular)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (いた)ガムを()む (to chew stick gum)
  • (いた)ガムを一枚(いちまい) (one piece of stick gum)

CULTURAL NOTE:
(つぶ)ガム has largely overtaken (いた)ガム in market share in Japan. Classic (いた)ガム brands include ロッテのクールミント and グリーンガム, which have nostalgic appeal.