hodgepodge

Etymology

From Middle English hochepoche, a variation of hochepot, from Old French hochepot, from Middle Dutch hutspot (“beef or mutton cut into small pieces and mixed and boiled together in a pot”), from hotsen, hutsen (“to shake; jog; jolt”) + pot (“pot”), equivalent to hotch + pot. Compare German Low German Hüttspott (“hodgepodge”).

noun

1. A collection containing a variety of miscellaneous things.
   His latest sculpture is a hodgepodge of kitchen clutter and scrap glued together.
   1653, Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler Man's life is but vain, for 'tis subject to pain, / And sorrow, and short as a bubble; / 'Tis a hodge-podge of business, and money, and care, / And care, and money, and trouble.
2. A confused mass of ingredients shaken or mixed together in the same pot.

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To move or position in an erratic, disorganised manner.