Scampi is the plural of scampo, the Italian name for the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), also known as the Dublin Bay prawn (especially in Ireland and the U.K.) and langoustine (the French name).[1] The name is used loosely both in Italy and elsewhere, though in Britain, food labelling laws define "scampi" as Nephrops norvegicus.

The fleshy tail of the Norway lobster is closer in both taste and texture to lobster and crayfish than prawn or shrimp.

In the United Kingdom, "scampi" refers to a dish of shelled tail meat, coated in breadcrumbs or batter, deep fried and often served with chips, peas and Tartar sauce[1]. It is also used as the basis for the bar-snack 'Scampi Fries,' though there is some debate as to how much scampi there actually is in said foodstuff. In the Southern Hemisphere, other species of lobster are used instead, such as Metanephrops challengeri.

In the USA, "scampi" is often the menu name for shrimp in Italian-American cuisine. The term "Scampi", by itself, is also the name of a dish of shrimp served in garlic butter and dry white wine, served either with bread, or over pasta. The word "scampi" is often construed as that style of preparation, not an ingredient, hence the seemingly redundant "shrimp scampi" or the seemingly impossible "chicken scampi".
Source(s):
www.wikipedia.org
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008070205322...

Welcome to O Lavrador Restaurant & Bar
Camarao Em Salsa Verde Shrimp in Green Sauce with Rice, 13.95. Canarao Frito Fried Shrimp, 13.95. Camarao Scampi Shrimp in Garlic and Brandy Sauce, 14.95 ...
www.olavradorrestaurant.com/menu.html

Lusitania Menu
Fisherman's style paella, w Saffron Rice. Lagosta Recheado $23.50. Stuffed Lobster. Camarao Scampi $17.25. Shrimp Scampi. Gambas a Mocambique $20.25 ...
lusitaniarestaurant.com/Lusitania_menu.html -


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Note added at 1 hr (2009-11-09 10:39:17 GMT)
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scam·pi (skmp, skäm-)
n. pl. scampi
Large shrimp broiled or sautéed and served in a garlic and butter sauce.
[Italian, pl. of scampo, a kind of lobster, from Greek kamp, bending (from its shape), perhaps from Greek kamptein, to bend.]

scampi [ˈskæmpɪ]
n
(Cookery) (usually functioning as singular) large prawns, usually eaten fried in breadcrumbs
[Italian: plural of scampo shrimp, of obscure origin]


ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun 1. scampi - large shrimp sauteed in oil or butter and garlic
dish - a particular item of prepared food;
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/scampi