gallimaufry

[,ɡæli'mɔ:fri]

gallimaufry (n.): "a medley, hash, hodge-podge," 1550s, from French galimafrée "hash, ragout, dish made of odds and ends," from Old French galimafree, calimafree "sauce made of mustard, ginger, and vinegar; a stew of carp" (14c.), which is of unknown origin. Perhaps from Old French galer "to make merry, live well" (see gallant) + Old North French mafrer "to eat much," from Middle Dutch maffelen [Klein]. Weekley sees in the second element the proper name Maufré. Hence, figuratively, "any inconsistent or absurd medley."

1. EXAMPLE : The eccentric old scholar's personal library was a vast gallimaufry of booksa dozen languages.: 这位古怪老学究的个人图书馆是一个由十几种语言写成的奇书大杂烩.