Hash vs. Ash: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Hash" refers to a dish of diced or chopped meat and often vegetables, or a symbol (#), while "Ash" is the powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
Key Differences
Hash and Ash are both nouns in English but have distinctly different meanings and usages. While Hash can refer to a dish made of diced meat and often vegetables, Ash describes the powdery residue that remains after something burns.
Hash has a culinary context, commonly denoting a dish popular for breakfast, made by frying diced vegetables and meat, typically leftovers. On the other hand, Ash is often associated with fires, as it is the grayish-white or blackish powder that remains after substances have been thoroughly burned.
In modern contexts, especially in technology, Hash has another meaning. It represents the symbol "#", commonly referred to as the "hashtag" in social media. Ash, in some contexts, can also refer to a shade of color, like ash-gray, symbolizing the gray of actual ashes.
Hash also has a meaning in computing, where it refers to a function that converts input data into a fixed-size value. Ash, outside of its primary meaning, can be a short form for ash tree, which is a type of tree found in many parts of the world.
In summary, while Hash has culinary, technological, and computational contexts, Ash predominantly revolves around the byproduct of combustion and, to a lesser extent, references to color and trees.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A dish of diced meat and vegetables; a symbol (#).
Powdery residue from burning; a shade of gray.
Common Contexts
Culinary, technology, and computing.
Combustion, color, and trees.
Part of Speech
Noun
Noun
Etymology
Middle English, possibly from French "hacher" meaning "to chop".
Old English "æsce" meaning "ash, dust".
Additional Meanings
In computing, a function converting data into a fixed-size value.
Also refers to ash trees.
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Hash and Ash Definitions
Hash
A dish made of diced or chopped meat and often vegetables
I ordered a corned beef hash for breakfast.
Ash
The powdery residue from the burning of a substance
The campfire left behind a pile of ash.
Hash
The symbol "#"
Use the hash symbol before numbers.
Ash
A shade of gray resembling ashes
He painted the wall in an ash color.
Hash
A jumble or mixture
The meeting was a hash of various unrelated topics.
Ash
The remains of human bodies after cremation
The family kept the ashes in an urn.
Hash
In computing, a function converting data
The system uses a hash function for data retrieval.
Ash
The residue from tobacco products like cigarettes
He tapped the ash off his cigar.
Hash
A rework or reuse of old ideas or material
The sequel was just a hash of the original movie.
Ash
The grayish-white to black powdery residue left when something is burned.
Hash
A dish of chopped meat, potatoes, and sometimes vegetables, usually browned.
Ash
(Geology) Pulverized particulate matter ejected by volcanic eruption.
Hash
A jumble; a hodgepodge.
Ash
The mineral residue of incinerated organic matter, used as an additive in pet foods.
Hash
(Informal) A mess
Made a hash of the project.
Ash
Ashes Ruins
The ashes of a lost culture.
Hash
A reworking or restatement of already familiar material.
Ash
Ashes Bodily remains, especially after cremation or decay.
Hash
Hashish.
Ash
Any of various chiefly deciduous trees of the genus Fraxinus, having opposite, pinnately compound leaves, clusters of small flowers, and one-seeded winged fruits.
Hash
The symbol (#); the pound sign.
Ash
The strong, elastic wood of any of these trees, used for furniture, tool handles, and sporting goods such as baseball bats.
Hash
To chop into pieces; mince.
Ash
(Linguistics) The letter æ in Old English and some modern phonetic alphabets, representing the vowel sound of Modern English ash.
Hash
(Informal) To make a mess of; mangle.
Ash
To reduce or convert to ash
Ash a tissue sample for analysis.
Hash
(Informal) To discuss carefully; review
Hash over future plans.
Hash out a solution.
Ash
(Informal) To drop ashes from a cigar or cigarette
Accidentally ashed on his own sleeve.
Hash
Food, especially meat and potatoes, chopped and mixed together.
Ash
The solid remains of a fire.
The audience was more captivated by the growing ash at the end of his cigarette than by his words.
Ash from a fireplace can restore minerals to your garden's soil.
Ashes from the fire floated over the street.
Ash from the fire floated over the street.
Hash
A confused mess.
Ash
(chemistry) The nonaqueous remains of a material subjected to any complete oxidation process.
Hash
(typography) The # symbol (octothorpe, pound).
Ash
Fine particles from a volcano, volcanic ash.
Hash
(computing) The result generated by a hash function.
Ash
(in the plural) Human (or animal) remains after cremation.
The urn containing his ashes was eventually removed to a closet.
Hash
One guess made by a mining computer in the effort of finding the correct answer which releases the next unit of cryptocurrency; see also hashrate.
Ash
Mortal remains in general.
Napoleon's ashes are not yet extinguished, and we're breathing in their sparks.
Hash
A new mixture of old material; a second preparation or exhibition; a rehashing.
Ash
(figuratively) What remains after a catastrophe.
Hash
A hash run.
Ash
A gray colour, like that of ash.
Hash
(Scotland) A stupid fellow.
Ash
A shade tree of the genus Fraxinus.
The ash trees are dying off due to emerald ash borer.
The woods planted in ash will see a different mix of species.
Hash
(informal) Hashish, a drug derived from the cannabis plant.
Ash
(uncountable) The wood of this tree.
Hash
(transitive) To chop into small pieces, to make into a hash.
Ash
The traditional name for the ae ligature (æ), as used in Old English.
Hash
To make a quick, rough version. en
We need to quickly hash up some plans.
Ash
(chemistry) To reduce to a residue of ash. See ashing.
Hash
To transform according to a hash function.
Ash
(intransitive) To hit the end off of a burning cigar or cigarette.
Hash
To make a mess of (something); to ruin.
Ash
(transitive) To hit the end off (a burning cigar or cigarette).
Hash
That which is hashed or chopped up; meat and vegetables, especially such as have been already cooked, chopped into small pieces and mixed.
Ash
To cover newly-sown fields of crops with ashes.
Hash
A new mixture of old matter; a second preparation or exhibition.
I can not bear elections, and still less the hash of them over again in a first session.
Ash
A genus of trees of the Olive family, having opposite pinnate leaves, many of the species furnishing valuable timber, as the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and the white ash (Fraxinus Americana).
Hash
Hashish.
Ash
The tough, elastic wood of the ash tree.
Hash
To chop into small pieces; to mince and mix; as, to hash meat.
Ash
Sing. of Ashes.
Hash
Chopped meat mixed with potatoes and browned
Ash
To strew or sprinkle with ashes.
Hash
Purified resinous extract of the hemp plant; used as a hallucinogen
Ash
The residue that remains when something is burned
Hash
Chop up;
Hash the potatoes
Ash
Any of various deciduous pinnate-leaved ornamental or timber trees of the genus Fraxinus
Ash
Strong elastic wood of any of various ash trees; used for furniture and tool handles and sporting goods such as baseball bats
Ash
Convert into ashes
Ash
A type of tree, especially the European ash
The ash tree in our backyard provides ample shade.
FAQs
What does Hash symbolize in social media?
It represents a hashtag, used to categorize or highlight content.
Is Ash only a result of wood burning?
No, Ash can be from any burned substance, including tobacco.
Is Hash always a food item?
No, Hash can also refer to the symbol "#" or a computing function.
Can Hash mean a mixture of things?
Yes, like when referring to a jumbled mix of topics.
How is Hash used in computing?
It refers to a function converting input data into a fixed-size value.
Is there a tree called Ash?
Yes, the ash tree is a common type in many regions.
Can Ash refer to a color?
Yes, ash-gray is a shade resembling the color of ashes.
Is Hash a modern word in technology?
It has modern meanings, especially in computing and social media.
What is the primary meaning of Ash?
Ash primarily refers to the powdery residue from burning.
Can Hash refer to reused material?
Yes, like when old ideas or material are rehashed.
Can Ash refer to human remains?
Yes, especially after cremation.
What's the culinary origin of Hash?
It's believed to have originated from using leftovers, especially meat.
What's the etymology of Ash?
It comes from Old English "æsce" meaning "ash, dust".
Are ashes always gray?
Mostly, but they can also appear white or blackish depending on the burned material.
How is the word Hash derived?
Possibly from French "hacher" meaning "to chop".
Do Ash trees relate to the powdery residue?
No, the name is coincidental, and they're not directly connected.
Can a meal be called a Hash without meat?
Yes, while traditionally containing meat, vegetarian versions exist.
Do ashes have cultural significance?
Yes, in many cultures, they hold religious or ceremonial importance.
Can Hash describe a confused situation?
Yes, indicating a jumble or mess of things.
Are ashes harmful?
Inhaling large amounts can be harmful, and they can affect air and water quality.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
