Advertisement

hob (n.)

"side of fireplace," 1670s, alteration of hubbe (1510s), of unknown origin, perhaps somehow related to the first element in hobnail.

hob (n.)

"clown, prankster," short for hobgoblin (q.v.). Hence, to play (the) hob "make mischief" (by 1834).

Hob

c. 1300, Hobbe, a variant of Rob, diminutive of Robert (compare Hick for Richard, Hodge for Rodger, etc.). Also a generic proper name for one of the common class.

Entries related to hob

hobgoblin (n.)
1520s, from hob "elf," from Hobbe, a variant of Rob (see Hob), short for Robin Goodfellow, elf character in German folklore, + goblin. Mischievous sprite, hence "something that causes fear or disquiet" (1709).
hobnail (n.)
"short, thick nail with a large head," 1590s, from nail (n.); the first element probably identical with hob "rounded peg or pin used as a mark or target in games" (1580s), which is of unknown origin. See hob. Because they were used to make heavy boots and shoes, the word was used figuratively for "rustic person" 17c. and after. Related: Hobnailed.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Advertisement
Definitions of hob
1
hob (n.)
(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings;
Synonyms: goblin / hobgoblin
hob (n.)
(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous;
Synonyms: elf / gremlin / pixie / pixy / brownie / imp
hob (n.)
a hard steel edge tool used to cut gears;
hob (n.)
a shelf beside an open fire where something can be kept warm;
2
hob (v.)
cut with a hob;
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near hob

hoarfrost

hoarse

hoary

hoax

hob

Hob

Hobbesian

Hobbit

hobble

hobbledehoy

hobby

© 2001-2021 Douglas Harper