A mixed bag of people
Meaning
A group comprising individuals with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, skills, or personalities, often implying a mix of desirable and undesirable qualities.
Origin
The phrase 'a mixed bag' first emerged from the world of hunting, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. After a day's hunt, a sportsman would return with a 'bag'—a literal satchel—containing various types of game: perhaps a prized pheasant, a couple of rabbits, and a less desirable pigeon. This collection was literally a 'mixed bag' of varying quality and species. The idiom soon escaped the hunting lodge, becoming a vibrant metaphor for any heterogeneous collection of things, or, as in this case, a diverse and often unpredictable group of people, each with their own unique traits and value.
Examples
- The new project team turned out to be a mixed bag of people, ranging from seasoned veterans to fresh graduates.
- At the festival, you always find a mixed bag of people enjoying the music and food, from families to counter-culture artists.