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Mulligans picnic

Posted by Bookworm on January 20, 2003

In Reply to: Mulligans picnic posted by ESC on January 20, 2003

: : Hi I posted a question in Dec 2002 but put the wrong mail address, sorry, but could anyone tell me the origin and correct meaning to 'Mulligan's picnic'

: I couldn't find "Mulligan's picnic." I found Mulligan meaning "Irishman" and the expression "Mulligan's stew." The stew was "...made of meat and vegetables -- whatever is available or can be begged or stolen. It is an American term, honoring an Irishman whose first name has been lost but who may have made a tasty Irish stew." The stew was popular among "tramps." From theEncyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).

Given the definition of Mulligan stew, a Mulligan picnic could mean a meal made with whatever may be on hand. Or, perhaps a late night raid on a refrigerator wherin you have a some of this and some of that. An ad hoc meal, so to speak.

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