Steve Pope > wrote:

> They're dips, since they are served in a small bowl alongside the
> food. Were they poured on top of the food before serving,
> they'd be sauces.
>
> "Dipping sauce" is an oxymoron, unfortunately one that's become
> ubiqitous.

I do not necessarily agree. "Dip" is more general; "dipping sauce" more
particular. Dip can be something other than sauce, for example
consisting of sour cream sprinkled with dill. Sour cream poured over a
dish won't automatically become a sauce, either.

Victor