Editor's Corner

Dear Editrix,

As often typed in customer documentation referencing the whole “kit” of something (a complete collection, whole set of tools, etc.) that much seems clear. But what is a caboodle?

Sincerely,

Can I doodle a caboodle?

Dear Doodler,

The phrase “whole kit and caboodle” is an idiom that has been in the United States for a long time. I did some research on the following websites:

• The Grammarist
• The Online Etymology Dictionary
• Merriam-Webster

Here is my summation of the information from the three resources.

When someone says, “the whole kit and caboodle,” they are talking about all of the things in a group; everything. If there is a basketful of twenty ingredients and Chef Milo tells you to “Throw the whole kit and caboodle into the pot,” he means put everything into the pot. If he’s a stickler for the definition of “everything,” he might even be talking about the basket itself. Who knows? Maybe it is a basket made of pasta?

The phrase itself appears in the United States around late 1800s, but parts of the phrase have been around longer. Here is a breakdown:

• Kit (1785) – A soldier’s collection of personal items and supplies they carry; their belongings.
• Boodle – A crowd of people; collection; probably from Dutch boedel (property). Later used to refer to a lot of money obtained through nefarious means.
• Kit and boodle (1833-1855) – A combination of items within a group.
• The whole kit and caboodle (1884-present) – Everything (current definition)

The word “caboodle” is from adding “ca-“ to “boodle.” Why? I couldn’t find a precise answer. I’m guessing that someone was writing a limerick and they needed something to go with “boodle.”

Pat had a thought in his noodle

He decided to make apple strudel

He bought cinnamon, butter, and salt

Apples, sugar, raisins, and malt

And threw in the whole kit and caboodle.

Hmm. I don’t think I’d like his strudel very much. Malt? How about a chocolate shake instead?

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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