Hodgepodge
International students have joined us for dinner many times. One of their favorite dishes includes a hodgepodge of ingredients.
- Chicken
- Mild cheddar cheese
- Rice
- Onion
- Milk
- Broccoli
- Cream of mushroom soup
The mixture looks messy but tastes great.
Hodgepodge refers to a jumbled mess of ingredients.
According to The Phrase Finder, hodgepodge “is a stew made with meat and a variety of vegetables.” It also refers to “any mixture of ingredients or … a mess.”
The expression can be traced to 14th century France. The French made a dish called hotchpot. It was similar to our casserole or hotpot.
Hodgepodge describes more than food.
Notice the example in the above Magnolia Plantation scene. Neat flower rows can’t compare to several varieties mixed together like this.
Hodgepodge also includes:
- Ideas
- Clothes
- Toys
- Art
- Pictures
- Junk
- Clutter of any kind
If we must clutter, I pray our clutter makes us burst with joy.
May we also spread that joy with friends from a hodgepodge of backgrounds.
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (Psalm 47:1 NIV).
Thanks to Ginny Merritt for the suggestion.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
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