choking on 'mochi'（回答）

すみません，ブログの更新が１日空いてしまいました。
cf. http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20140103/1388735816
今回のonはこれまでにも採り上げられている副詞のon。辞書にはchoke onで「（食べ物が）のどに詰まる」（『プログレッシブ英和中辞典』小学館）とありますが，副詞のonについて調べてみると，様々な意味があることがわかります。そしてここでは「離れずに, しっかり, くっついて」という意味です（『プログレッシブ英和中辞典』同上）。餅がのどにひっつくニュアンスが伝わってきます。このonはhold onなどと同じ用法ですね。（Koyamamoto）

4 die after choking on 'mochi;' at least 10 hospitalized
TOKYO — The National Police Agency and Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Thursday that four people had died after choking on “mochi” rice cakes.
Furthermore, 10 people in Tokyo were hospitalized on Wednesday after choking on “mochi.” Of the 10, nine were over 65, and two remain in a coma.
TV Asahi reported that the fatalities were a man in his 70s in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, a man in his 80s in Minami-Soma, Fukushima, an 85-year-old man in Shimotsuke, Tochigi Prefecture, and an 85-year-old woman in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/4-die-after-choking-on-mochi-at-least-10-hospitalized