1 slumgullion | Definition of slumgullion
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

slumgullion

noun
slum·​gul·​lion | \ ˈslÉ™m-ËŒgÉ™l-yÉ™n How to pronounce slumgullion (audio) , ËŒslÉ™m-ˈgÉ™l-\

Definition of slumgullion

: a meat stew
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about slumgullion

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Slumgullion may not sound like the most appetizing name for a dish, but that’s part of its charm. The word’s etymology doesn’t do it any favors: "slumgullion" is believed to be derived from "slum," an old word for "slime," and "gullion," an English dialectical term for "mud" or "cesspool." Most of the earliest recorded usages of "slumgullion," such as in Mark Twain’s Roughing It (1872), refer not to a stew but a beverage. The sense referring to the stew debuted about two decades later, and while there is no consensus on exactly what kinds of ingredients are found in it, that’s the "slumgullion" that lives on today.

Examples of slumgullion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Remarkably, the slumgullion that Morton thickened through 3 2/3 innings included just one hit. — Hunter Atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Astros pick up messy win over Rangers, clinch series," 10 June 2018 Remarkably, the slumgullion that Morton thickened through 3 2/3 innings included just one hit. — Hunter Atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Astros pick up messy win over Rangers, clinch series," 10 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slumgullion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of slumgullion

1890, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for slumgullion

perhaps from slum slime + English dialect gullion mud, cesspool

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!