olio

Olio is a term with multiple related meanings. In Italian, olio means oil and is used for various oils, most notably olive oil (olio d'oliva) and olive oil products such as extravergine olive oil (olio extravergine di oliva). In English, olio is a loanword that can denote either a literal oil referenced in Italian phrases or a figurative mixture.

As a metaphor, olio refers to a heterogeneous collection of items—an assortment, medley, or potpourri—used in literature, journalism, or catalog descriptions. A writer might publish an olio of poems, essays, and illustrations, or a magazine might print an olio combining diverse pieces.

In culinary contexts, olio describes oil used in cooking; the term appears in Italian grocery labeling and recipes as olio d'oliva or simply olio. In some historical cookbooks, olio described a dish made from mixed leftovers, akin to a hash, reflecting an older usage that emphasized varied ingredients brought together in a single preparation.

Etymology and usage notes: the word derives from Latin oleum via Italian olio. The broader figurative sense of mixture developed in English from that root. Today, olio is encountered in culinary, literary, and publishing contexts, where its meaning is determined by the surrounding language and subject matter.