Definition

Noun

  • A stew for the crew’s mess.

Origin

Probably earlier than the early 19th century. Slum is an old word for slime, and gullion, is English slang for a stomach ache.

Comments

Even the word itself isn’t particularly appetizing. One imagines that the food itself wasn’t very good. However, it could just be a word for any kind of generic stew, perhaps from the day’s leftovers.

References

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.