mess of pottage

: something valueless or trivial or of inferior value
—used especially of something accepted instead of a rightful thing of far greater value
suspense is the mess of pottage for which the Shakespearean birthright has been sold—E. R. Bentley

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mes of potage; from allusion to Esau's selling of his birthright to his twin brother Jacob for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29–34)

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Dictionary Entries Near mess of pottage

messmate

mess of pottage

mess or mell

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Cite this Entry

“Mess of pottage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mess%20of%20pottage. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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