Etymology
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hobbledehoy (n.)

"clumsy or awkward youth," 1530s, of uncertain origin and the subject of much discussion. Suspicion has focused on French or Anglo-French, but no appropriate word has been found there. First element is probably hob in its sense of "clown, prankster" (see hobgoblin), the second element perhaps is French de haye "worthless, untamed, wild," literally "of the hedge."

updated on December 07, 2020

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Dictionary entries near hobbledehoy

hob

Hob

Hobbesian

Hobbit

hobble

hobbledehoy

hobby

hobbyhorse

hobbyist

hobgoblin

hobnail