ANSWER: Difference between Goulashes and Galoshes

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Today is the day we get to talk about the difference between goulashes and galoshes. Or to be more specific, "stews" and "boots."

With examples from X-Files and a reference to an old Charlie Chaplin film.



To get things started, let's first discuss the meaning of goulashes. According to Dictionary.com, goulash is defined as "a stew of beef or veal and vegetables, with paprika and other seasoning." It originated as a Hungarian dish, but there are plenty of modified versions out there. In my family, we add pasta and tomato sauce to the mixture.

Mulder stared at the food set before him and grimaced. "It's goulash," the waitress said in a tone that dared him to say anything bad about the food. He picked cautiously at it as she added, "Old family recipe."

The term is also used when referencing a jumbled up mess, as well as a certain method of dealing cards in a game of bridge.


Galosh on the other hand is defined as "a waterproof overshoe, especially a high one." Despite Charlie Chaplin's efforts in boiling his shoes for dinner in the movie, "The Gold Rush," galoshes would not be considered edible for the most part, and would be better suited for wearing in the rain.

Scully stood ankle deep in the mud, wishing she had taken the old man's advice when he'd said, "Better grab a pair of galoshes before you head out to that field."

"My shoes are ruined," she said with a sigh. She pulled her foot out of the muck to look at the damage, but mud clung everywhere. "I wish I'd taken that guy up on those galoshes."

As a rule, goulash is not typically spoken as a plural, although it is correct if speaking of more than one. And the opposite seems to be true for galoshes. Not to say the singular form of the word is wrong, because it isn't. It's just that most people generally speak of a "pair" of overshoes vs only one, as in, "Where are my galoshes?"


References:
Dictionary.com