slumgullion

[ sluhm-guhl-yuhn, sluhm-guhl- ]

noun

1. a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
2. a beverage made weak or thin, as watery tea, coffee, or the like.
3. the refuse from processing whale carcasses.
4. a reddish, muddy deposit in mining sluices.

slumgullion

/ slʌmˈɡʌljən; ˈslʌmˌɡʌl- /

noun

1. slang.
   an inexpensive stew
2. offal, esp the refuse from whale blubber
3. a reddish mud deposited in mine sluices

Word History and Origins

Origin of slumgullion¹

1840–50, Americanism; compare Scots, Hiberno-English gullion quagmire, cesspool

Word History and Origins

Origin of slumgullion¹

C19: from slum in US sense slime + gullion, perhaps variant of cullion testicles

Example Sentences

She even asked, actually asked, to be shown how to make “slumgullion”—she who a few months before had scornfully maintained that cooking was for servants and not for ladies.

From Project Gutenberg

"I like Samson, I do, the poor old good-for-nothing lump of slumgullion."

From Project Gutenberg

Then they handed us a mess which some of us called 'slumgullion,' composed of diseased beef.

From Project Gutenberg

“I would have dreamed about turkey dinners and slumgullion and fudge,” said Slim, spearing his fourth potato.

From Project Gutenberg

With a mocking gurgle, about a dram of “slumgullion” passed into his mouth.

From Project Gutenberg