Hotch-potch, subs. (old: now recognised).—A medley; a hodge-podge (q.v.).
1597. Hall, Satires, i., 3. A goodly hotch-potch when vile russettings are matched with monarchs and mighty kings.
1606. Return from Parnassus, iv., 2. (Dodsley, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ix., 183). This word, hotch-potch in English is a pudding; for in such a pudding is commonly not one thing only, but one thing with another.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hotch-potch, an Oglio, or Medly of several Meats in one Dish.
c. 1709. W. King, Art of Cookery, ix. (Chalmers, English Poets, 1810, ix., 259). The first delighting in hodge-podge, gallimaufry, forced meats … and salmagundy.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1728. Patrick Walker, Alexander Peden, ‘Postscript’ (ed. 1827, i., 128). A hotch-potch or bagful of Arian, Arminian, Socinian, Pelagian, etc.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 17 Oct., p. 2, c. 1. Both are a sort of hotchpotch of songs, dances, and extravaganzas.
Hot-coppers, subs. (common).—The fever and parched throat, or mouth (q.v.), attending a debauch. See Cool one’s Copper.
1830. Egan, Finish to Life in London, 156. The ‘uncommonly big gentleman’ in spite of swallowing oceans of soda-water, declared his copper to be so hot that he thought all the water in the sea could not reduce his thirst!