hodgepodge
UK: ˈhɒdʒpɒdʒ | US: ˈhɑːdʒpɑːdʒ
n. a confused or disorderly mixture of things; a jumble.
The word "hodgepodge" originated in the late 14th century as "hochepot," borrowed from Old French hochepot (a stew of mixed meats). The English form evolved through folk etymology, blending "hodge" (a variant of "hotch," meaning to shake or mix) and "podge" (a variant of "podge," meaning a lump or mess). The term reflects the idea of a chaotic mixture, much like a stew with random ingredients. Over time, it shifted from literal food mixtures to figurative jumbles of any kind.
The report was a hodgepodge of unrelated ideas.
Her closet was a hodgepodge of clothes from different decades.
The soup turned into a hodgepodge of leftovers.
The museum's collection is a fascinating hodgepodge of artifacts.
His speech was a hodgepodge of quotes and personal anecdotes.