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mess of pottage

Definition of 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

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History and Etymology for mess of pottage

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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