857: gallimaufry Apr 13, 2017

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When one word has two or more distinctly different meanings, like 'gallimaufry' referring to a jumble of things or a food, there tends to be a historical reason.  The word comes from the two elements 'galer' which was Old French for ‘have fun’, and the Picard (which was the dialect of French that has most influenced English) 'mafrer' meaning ‘eat copious quantities’. While that wasn't very specific, the word which became 'galimafrée' took on the meaning of an unappealing dish. More specific still, the word soon was used to reference a meal of minced meat, especially hash. Much in the way that 'hodgepodge' is used to mean something somewhat carelessly thrown or jumbled together first meant a mutton stew, 'gallimaufry' now has the meaning of a medley of things which was gained from earlier food-related connotations. For more on mixes, click here.

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