The freeonline dictionary has this definition of the word ‘amok’ n “a state of murderous frenzy, originally observed among Malays”. There has to be a story behind the use of that word especially within the context of it being racially applied. More than likely some Britisher was interrupted during a meal of Amok by a riot somewhere in Malaysia and the resultant telegrams got all muddled up. Possibly the guy meant to say Amok off the menu, due to Malays rioting.