Definition of hash out

The origins of the term "hash out" can be traced back to the late 19th century, where it first appeared in the English language. At that time, "hashing" referred to cutting up cooked meat into small pieces. Hence, "hashing out" initially meant "dissecting" or "analyzing" something in detail, with a focus on breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts, similar to the way meat is cut during hashing. The exact origins of the term remain unclear, but it is speculated that the phrase may have emerged from the mining industry. Miners would gather to discuss business deals and ideas after consuming a meal of hashed potatoes and meat, which they called "mine diner." As the discussion became more detailed and analytical, it earned the phrase "hashing out" or "discing out" the details, in reference to the process of hashing meat. Over time, the meaning of "hash out" expanded to include broader discussions, deliberations, and arguments, in any context where a problem or issue is being addressed through detailed examination and analysis. It is now commonly used in business, politics, and everyday conversation to describe detailed discussions aimed at solving complex problems.