Using like statement in pandas df

[jefsummers]

You made major changes in your post from original - better to post a reply to your own - you never know if someone is working on it.
Here, I believe this works for you.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame(['abcdefg','bcde','abcfoo','defgh'], columns=['A'])

def fun(the_col):
    if 'abc' in the_col.A:
        return 'abc'
    elif 'de' in the_col.A:
        return 'de'
    else:
        return 'foo'
    return

dfA = df.apply(fun, axis = 1)
dfA

Output:
0    abc
1     de
2    abc
3     de