son-of-a-bitch stew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It can be, depending on the audience. While the term is mild profanity in many American dialects and is used humorously as the name of a dish, it contains a swear word. It should be avoided in formal or polite company where such language is inappropriate.

There is no single recipe. It traditionally uses a tough cut of meat (like beef shoulder), onions, chilies or hot peppers, and often tomatoes, potatoes, beans, or whatever vegetables are to hand. It's defined more by its method (slow, long cooking) and spirit (improvisation) than by a fixed ingredient list.

Yes. It is sometimes used to describe a complicated, messy, or volatile situation where many disparate or difficult elements are combined, e.g., 'The merger negotiations became a real son-of-a-bitch stew.'

Yes. 'Cowboy stew' or 'chuckwagon stew' are common inoffensive synonyms used in the same culinary context.

A hearty, spicy meat stew made from inexpensive or tough cuts, traditionally associated with cowboy and chuckwagon cooking.

Son-of-a-bitch stew is usually informal, colloquial in register.

Son-of-a-bitch stew: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn əv ə ˈbɪʧ ˌstjuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn əv ə ˈbɪʧ ˌstuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.