Hodgepodge is a North American term that means a mixture of elements from various sources. Hodgepodge often refers to a jumbled assembly of not-quite matching items that come together in a confused fashion. Hodgepodge is derived from the word hotchpotch by associating the name Hodge, which is a British name for a farm laborer.
Hotchpotch is a British term that means a mixture of elements from various sources. Hotchpotch also refers to a mutton stew with an eclectic mix of vegetables, such as peas, cauliflower, cabbage, leeks, carrots, turnips and parsley. Khicurri, an Indian dish made of rice, lentils, onion, chili, peppers and various spices is also referred to as hotchpotch. Hotchpotch is a variant of the word hotchpot, which is a legal term meaning the reunion of properties with the intent of rendering equal division. Hotchpot comes from the Anglo-French word, hocher, to shake.
Examples
And linebacker, with multiple players coming off injuries, is a hodgepodge of “ORs” – meaning the starters are still to be determined. (The Houston Chronicle)
A hodgepodge of features that’s far from the sleek, simple, Zen-like ideal that had been consistently pushed by Apple’s late founder. (The New York Post)
After the first gallery, it’s a bit of a hotchpotch, with works in different media thrown into uncomfortable relationships. (The Evening Standard)
Devised jointly by choreographer Wayne McGregor, visual artist Olafur Eliasson and pop composer Jamie xx, and inspired by the eponymous novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, the project possessed all the potential to be an ill-considered hotchpotch. (The Financial Times)
Mug [1L]: Everything can be cooked in it – preparing hotchpotch, soup, boiling eggs or even making coffee. (The Daily Star)