If I want all of something, I want the whole kit and caboodle. For example, I would love to visit all the national parks. So far, Yellowstone remains my favorite.

The whole kit and caboodle means an entire collection.

• All the parts
• Everything

According to The Phrase Finder:

• A kit is a “set of objects, as in a toolkit, or what a soldier would put in his kit-bag.” (A kit-bag is a knapsack.)
• A caboodle (or boodle) “is an archaic term meaning group or collection, usually of people.”

We rarely hear kit or caboodle used alone. However, we still hear them used together, either as:

• Kit and caboodle, or
• The whole kit and caboodle

The whole kit and caboodle can be a good or fun description.

For example:

• Family reunions with all the relatives
• A collection of books from a favorite author
• Choir rehearsal when everyone shows up

The whole kit and caboodle can also describe something not good or fun.

For example:

• All the side effects of cancer treatments
• The loss of everything in a fire
• A car accident that kills an entire family

I appreciate all you readers, the whole kit and caboodle.

You warm the cockles of my heart. Thank you for your:

• Comments and messages (You can comment below.)
• Suggestions for blog posts
• Shares on social media

Above all, thank you for your prayers for God’s guidance.

“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you” (Romans 1:8).

Thanks to Carole Fite and Brad Leverett for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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