gallimaufry

noun

1. (countable, dated, uncountable)A hash of various kinds of meats; a ragout.

   “At length, having discussed in turn pilaus, keebaubs, ollas, and a legion of gallimaufrys not mentioned in the classic pages of Kitchener and Ude, the cook's brain became completely addled by the elaborate and conflicting directions bestowed upon him; […]”

   “I have tried many times, but always without success, to ascertain the average daily ration consumed by the Chinese railroad laborer, as a means of comparing their value with that of Americans. The reason this cannot be obtained is because they eat so many oily gallimaufries, alliaceous stews and indescribable vegetable hotchpotches, of which the ingredients are principally brought from China and have Chinese names.”

   “For gallimaufrey, roast poultry or capons, and cut into pieces. After fry with lard or goose lard. When they are fried, put in wine and verjuice. For spices, put some ginger powder and, to thicken, cameline, and a moderate amount of salt.”

2. (countable, figuratively, uncountable)Any absurd medley; an elaborate mishmash.

   “Reader, Gentle or ungentle, I write to all, knowing that all have now got almoſt an equall ſhare and intereſt in this Gallimaufry or Hotchpot which our Grandee Pſeudo-Politicians with their negative and demoliſhing Councils have made, both of Church and Commonwealth: […]”

   “We frankly confeſs, that a different ſpecies of ſolicitude is, in the preſent inſtance, excited in us, as Britiſh Critics; a ſolicitude for the credit of the compiler, a ſolicitude for the honour of his countrymen, on account of this crude, incongruous, farrago; this gallimaufry of Scottiſh antiquarianiſm.”

   “[William] Shakespeare's early comedies are a gallimaufry of experiments, but each plays its part in the gradual conquest of the medium, the increasing mastery of its complex expressive capacities.”