Difference Wiki

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 White
Janet 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 Moss
Harlon 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.

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