farraginous

American  

[fuh-raj-uh-nuhs] / fəˈrædʒ ə nəs /

adjective

1. consisting of a farrago or mixture; heterogeneous; mixed.

   a farraginous collection of random ideas.

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Etymology

Origin of farraginous

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin farrāgin- (stem of farrāgō ) “mixed grains” ( see farrago) + -ous

Explanation

The word farraginous describes an often-confusing mixture or hodgepodge of miscellaneous things. Some might describe a dinner of food dishes from different cuisines — e.g., wonton soup, spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, and tzatziki salad — as being farraginous. The word farraginous is the adjective derived from the noun farrago, meaning "a mix of odds and ends" or "a motley assortment of things." That word was borrowed from Latin, where it meant "a mixed crop of grains." Farraginous generally has a somewhat negative vibe, suggesting that something is like a random grab bag of things with no theme or organization and little thoughtfulness or intentionality behind it.

Example Sentences

Marjorie got it right, but she promptly missed farraginous.

From Time Magazine Archive

"A chaffering, all including most farraginous chronicle" is James Joyce's definition of his Ulysses, a book which many a critic considers the most important novel of its generation.

From Time Magazine Archive

It offers the spectator about as much of Joyce's "chaffering allincluding most farraginous chronicle" as a two-hour stopover at Shannon would offer him of Ireland.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thou art, I vow, the remarkablest progenitor barring none in this chaffering allincluding most farraginous chronicle.

From Ulysses by Joyce, James

Bailey gave him two pills, or rather boluses, containing croton oil—inter alia; for Bailey was one of the farraginous fools of the unscientific science.

From Hard Cash by Reade, Charles