What does stodge mean?
A stodge is a large, filling meal, particularly one made from thick, substantial food. In British and Australian English, the word often carries a warm, informal, even affectionate tone: it can describe a satisfying plate of stew, bread, potatoes, and other hearty fare without necessarily implying that the food is unpleasant. As a verb, to stodge means to eat a substantial quantity of food, usually without expressing the rapid greediness that might be suggested by gobble. The term is most natural in conversation and informal writing rather than formal culinary or literary prose. It is useful because it captures both the quantity and the comforting, filling quality of a meal, giving a succinct alternative to phrases such as a big, filling dinner or a hearty meal.
A large, filling meal or portion of food, especially one consisting of thick or heavy food.
"She served us a stodge of potatoes, sausages, and beans."
Informal and especially common in British and Australian English.
To eat a large amount of food.
"The children stodged on biscuits and milk before the party."
Chiefly British and Australian English; informal and less common than the noun.
The plural is used when referring to separate meals or portions of food.
"The visitors were offered three enormous stodges before their journey."
Stodge is the British and Australian term for the sort of gloriously filling meal that leaves little room for anything else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stodge come from?
The word is recorded in English from the early 19th century, initially for food or a meal. Its precise origin is uncertain, and it is not securely derived from a clearly identified English or foreign root. The verb developed from the older sense of the noun and came to mean eating a large amount of food.
How stodge is actually used
The noun is informal and especially common in British and Australian English, where it may affectionately describe hearty or filling food. The verb is also chiefly British and Australian and is less common than the noun.