The word "slurry"

[lepusss]

Hello,
the thread for disscusion, as I am not really sure (though, I think it is correct) whether the word "slurry" is used correctly below:

The name of a "thing":

• slurry of tar (this one is used in the game Mortal Shell, so I guess it is correct)
• slurry of shit (this one I want to verify, if it might be correct)

As the definition in Merriam-Webster goes: "a watery mixture of insoluble matter (such as mud, lime, or plaster of paris)" IMO if You add the following "of ..." it defines what it consists of and describes rather the "shape". The thing is, that the word "slurry" itself suggest the thing and could stand all alone.

Anybody?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Tar isn't watery. It's oily. That use might make sense in context, but don't assume that people who write text for games always use words correctly.

Anyhow, I'm sure you get the idea, and that's what language is all about.

 

[Skrej]

I do think Webster's definition is a bit misleading - they're using 'watery' to mean something like 'not viscous' rather than literally 'water-based'. A slurry can be based on any liquid, although water is common.

I disagree that any mixture thick enough to stand on its own (or even hold peaks) is a slurry. A slurry is thinner.

Adding 'of' does of course allow you to describe the non-liquid component it contains, but 'of' has nothing to do with shape. A slurry is shaped only by the vessel containing it. Spill it out on an even surface, and a slurry will spread out to level, assuming something like temperature or a chemical reaction doesn't solidify it first.

 

[PeterCW]

Your second option is definitely correct. "Slurry" without qualifiction, is used by British farmers to mean a watery mix of animal faeces which is sprayed on the land as fertiliser.

 

[probus]

Your second option is definitely correct. "Slurry" without qualifiction, is used by British farmers to mean a watery mix of animal faeces which is sprayed on the land as fertiliser.

That substance is known in AmE as liquid manure.

 

[PeterCW]

That substance is known in AmE as liquid manure.

That can be any liquid formulation, we used to make one from comfrey leaves for our organic garden. The slurry is definitely the stuff that comes out of the cow shed.

 

[Tdol]

slurry of tar (this one is used in the game Mortal Shell, so I guess it is correct)

The definition given on this site suggests that Tar is the name of the currency:

https://mortalshell.wiki.fextralife.com/Slurry+of+Tar

They're using slurry to suggest it is dirty money.