Words / C2

f-uh-RAHG-oh/fəˈrɑːɡəʊ/

A farrago is a confused mixture of things (formal): a farrago of excuses, a farrago of menus. A mess (already in the dictionary) is everyday untidiness or trouble; a mixture (already in the dictionary) is things mixed together, and an imbroglio (already in the dictionary) is a tangled embarrassing situation — the close twin of a tangle, not of a jumble of stuff. This batch: a simulacrum is a copy, not a heap. Menus are not a flame-risk close-out.

Meaning

A confused mixture of things (formal).

Examples

• “A farrago of menus is not a flame-risk close-out.”
• “A mess is untidy dirt, or a problem (already in A2). A mixture is things mixed together (already in A2). An imbroglio is a tangled embarrassing mess (already in C2). A simulacrum is an image or copy (this batch). Taste at a sitting can be exact. Taste instead of a dated flame-risk line is noise. Name the owner of the door; leave the menu for the social.”

Good to know

A confused jumble (formal). Everyday: mess / mixture (already in this dictionary). Close: imbroglio (already in C2). This batch: simulacrum. Menus ≠ a flame.

Near in meaning

jumble, medley, hotchpotch, hodgepodge

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