Meaning of "Slumgullion"



Although I've often heard my mother use this term in reference to food, I've never really known exactly what it was. I just remember I always laughed when she said it because the word had such an undelectable sound.

But, through the powers of the World Wide Web and the willingness of historian Dr. Nigel Sellars of the Oklahoma City Community College to share his knowledge, I now know the meaning of "slumgullion." Dr. Sellars wrote:

"...It's a stew, sometimes called 'Mulligan stew' or 'Irish stew' or 'hobo stew.' I couldn't tell you the ingredients off-hand as they seem to have been whatever was available, though I'd guess meat of some sort and potatoes are common to all versions. The name 'slumgullion' itself, I believe, is the Irish Gaelic word for stew or soup."



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