Olio

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈəʊljəʊ/

Definitions

1. A varied and assorted mixture of different elements, particularly in the realms of art, literature, or cuisine, often combining diverse styles or ingredients
2. A diverse assortment or mixture of various items, notably in the context of creative works or culinary dishes that fuse different ingredients and styles
3. A heterogeneous collection composed of various unrelated parts or elements gathered together

Etymology: The word "olio" began as a kitchen term. Spanish "olla" and Portuguese "olha" both come from Latin "olla", meaning "pot" or "jar", and a Spanish dish called "olla podrida" (literally "rotten pot") was a stew of many meats and vegetables simmered together. Its mixed contents are the image that carried over into English. English borrowed the word with that sense of a jumble of ingredients, and it gradually left the cooking pot behind. A modern "olio" is any heap of miscellaneous things, from a miscellany of essays to a collection of odds and ends, so the word now describes the mixture itself rather than the vessel or the dish.

Synonyms: medley, mixture, hodgepodge