stir-about
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of porridge or thin gruel: "stir-about" refers to a simple, often thin, porridge-like food made by stirring grain or meal into boiling water or milk. It is typically a plain, inexpensive dish.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- For breakfast, the farmer ate a bowl of hot stir-about. (A simple porridge made by stirring meal into liquid.)
- The children were fed thin stir-about because there was little else to eat. (A plain, watery gruel.)
Advanced Usage
- "to make stir-about": to prepare this type of porridge by stirring.
- She learned to make stir-about from her grandmother, who used oatmeal and water. (To cook a simple porridge by constant stirring.)
Variants and Related Words
Stir (verb): to mix a substance, especially food, by moving a spoon or other implement around in it.
- Stir the pot of porridge to prevent lumps. (Mix it thoroughly.)
About (adverb/preposition): in various directions; here and there.
- He walked about the kitchen while the porridge cooked. (Moving around the room.)
Synonyms
- Porridge: a dish made by boiling oats or other grains in water or milk.
- Gruel: a thin, watery porridge, often eaten by the poor or as a convalescent food.
- Brose: a Scottish dish of oatmeal mixed with boiling water or milk.
Related Idioms
- Stir the pot: to cause trouble or provoke discussion (not directly related to the food, but uses the verb "stir").
- He always stirs the pot during meetings by asking difficult questions. (He provokes discussion or conflict.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Stir up: to cause or provoke something, such as trouble or emotion.
- The news stirred up a lot of anger in the community. (Provoked or aroused strong feelings.)
Note: "Stir-about" is an uncommon, somewhat archaic term, primarily used in historical or dialectal contexts (e.g., in Irish or Scottish English) to describe a basic food staple. It is not widely used in modern standard English.