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The Curious Bag
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Omnibus can be used as a noun or an adjective. As a noun the word refers to either an automotive bus or a book containing a collection of reprints of books. Most commonly it is used as an adjective to mean "containing many items."
History
The word omnibus derives from the French word, which came from the Latin word, omnis, which meant "for all." The word dates back to 1829 when used as a noun and 1842 when used as an adjective.
Function
Most commonly the word omnibus will be used in either a legal or political setting. Most times the word precedes the words bill, law or hearing.
Identification
Examples of the usage includes the term omnibus bill, which is a single document that contains many laws and proposals, or an omnibus spending bill that sets multiple budgets in one source.
Considerations
An example of a specific omnibus bill is the $400 billion Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.
Fun Fact
The word omnibus has also been used for entertainment purposes. A U.S. educational TV series was named "Omnibus" as was a 1992 short comedy film that won an Academy Award.
Source:
CQ Politics: Senators Parse 'Earmark Overload'
New York Times Movies: Omnibus
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