hodgepodge

noun

hodge·​podge ˈhäj-ˌpäj 

: a heterogeneous mixture : jumble

a hodgepodge of styles

Synonyms

• agglomerate
• agglomeration
• alphabet soup
• assortment
• botch
• clutter
• collage
• crazy quilt
• farrago
• gallimaufry
• grab bag
• gumbo
• hash
• hotchpotch
• jambalaya
• jumble
• jungle
• litter
• macédoine
• medley
• mélange
• menagerie
• miscellanea
• miscellany
• mishmash
• mixed bag
• montage
• motley
• muddle
• olio
• olla podrida
• omnium-gatherum
• pastiche
• patchwork
• patchwork quilt
• potpourri
• ragbag
• ragout
• rummage
• salad
• salmagundi
• scramble
• shuffle
• smorgasbord
• stew
• tumble
• variety
• welter

Examples of hodgepodge in a Sentence

the exhibit was a hodgepodge of mediocre art, bad art, and really bad art

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s found allies in both Republican and Democratic camps as support for Armenian interests has historically been a hodgepodge of figures from both parties. —Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Sep. 2024

What to look for in hiking boot: Finding the perfect pair of hiking boots (especially online) can feel like a daunting task, as the lists of features often blend into a strange hodgepodge of acronyms, technical fabrics, and industry jargon. —Lindsey Olander, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2023

My grandparents are Irish and Italian immigrants, a hodgepodge. —Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2024

The album, her 12th studio effort, showcased a hodgepodge of sounds, from infectious Afrobeats to soulful bachata, Tex-Mex rhythms and even a return to her rock roots. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of hotchpotch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hodgepodge

noun

hodge·​podge ˈhäj-ˌpäj 

: a confused mixture : jumble

Etymology

an altered form of hotchpotch, from Middle English hochepot "mixed stew," derived from early French hochepot (same meaning), from hochier "to shake" and pot "pot, container"

Word Origin

Hodgepodge and its older form hotchpotch are part of a group of words that rhyme all by themselves. Hobnob and willy-nilly are others. In the case of hodgepodge and hotchpotch, the rhyme is not an accident. These words came to English from early French in the form hochepot. The spelling was changed to make the second half of the word rhyme with the first. In French hochepot was a stew of many foods cooked together in a pot. Perhaps the pot was shaken instead of stirred since hochepot was formed from hochier, meaning "to shake," and pot, which had the same meaning in early French as it does in English now. Before long hotchpotch and hodgepodge were used not just for a mixture of foods cooking in a pot but for any mixture of different things.

Legal Definition

Hodge Podge

noun

ˈhäj-ˌpäj

: main pot