Various and Sundry: The Art of Assembling Miscellany
Redundant, repetitive, repetitive—it feels like we’re repeating ourselves! “Various and Sundry” is delightfully tautological, offering dual assurance that a collection is mismatched and diverse. This phrase dates back centuries, capturing the essence of life’s glorious hodgepodges.
Related Terms and Phrases
- A Mixed Bag: An assortment of diverse elements.
- Hodgepodge: A confused mixture; synonymous with clutter.
- This, That, and the Other: An informal way to refer to various items, typically sundry ones.
- Assorted: Made up of several things of different kinds.
- Eclectic: Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
Similar Expressions and Proverbs
- “Everything but the kitchen sink”: Almost everything one can think of has been included.
- “All and sundry”: Every person or thing, considered individually but addressed collectively.
- “Odds and ends”: Small, miscellaneous items.
Fun Synonyms
- Melange
- Collection
- Potpourri
- Grab bag
- Amalgamation
Antonyms
- Uniformity
- Homogeneity
- Consistency
- Monotony
Wit and Wisdom
Humor-filled quote: “Why use one word when you can flaunt your verbosity and use two?” — Bored Lexicographer
Literary and Pop Culture References
- Books: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams, where the eclectic variety of life forms and objects mirrors the concept.
- Songs: “Come Together” by The Beatles, a fab blend of miscellaneous lyrics and sounds.
- Movies: Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino, famed for its mixture of assorted storylines and plot twists.
- Poetry: “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll, a nonsensical poem rich with a variety of imaginative wordplay.
Quizzes: Test Your Cliché Savvy!
### Which of these terms means a varied collection?
- [x] Hodgepodge
- [ ] Singular
- [ ] Monotony
- [ ] Uniformity
> **Explanation:** "Hodgepodge" refers to a mixture or an assortment, making it the best answer here!
### Which phrase refers to almost every possible item?
- [ ] Halves and quarters
- [x] Everything but the kitchen sink
- [ ] Monotonal musings
- [ ] Singular sensations
> **Explanation:** "Everything but the kitchen sink" denotes an extensive, almost exhaustive collection of objects.
### Which phrase is synonymous with 'various and sundry'?
- [ ] Singular star
- [ ] Simple structures
- [x] This, that, and the other
- [ ] Uniform universe
> **Explanation:** "This, that, and the other" implies a range of different items, akin to 'various and sundry.'
### True or False: 'Odds and ends' means a well-organized, uniform collection.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! 'Odds and ends' refers to miscellaneous small items, often without apparent order or relation.
### Which word pair is redundant like "various and sundry"?
- [ ] Left and right
- [x] Null and void
- [ ] Salt and pepper
- [ ] Up and down
> **Explanation:** "Null and void" is another example of a redundant phrase, where both words mean practically the same thing.
“Language is the thread that weaves the tapestry of our thoughts. Play with it, honor it—just never let it grow mundane.” — W. T. Wittywords
Published 2023-10-04 by Witts end Publishing™
