Potpourri and pot-pourri

potpourriPotpourri translated into English is “rotten pot.” In French it is spelled pot-pourri or pot pourri, and has the same meaning as its English counterpart: fragranced dried flower, fruits and herbs used to get rid of bad odors.

Some, mostly women, place pouches of potpourri in their drawers and “armoires” (another French word) to keep clothes smelling fresh.

It’s also the French word for a Spanish stew made in Burgos (olla podrida), made from a large variety of ingredients – which explains the other English definition of potpourri: a collection of diverse items.

J’ai acheté ce pot-pourri pour la salle de bain. (I bought this potpourri for the bathroom.)

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