HOBBYHORSE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Hobbyhorse

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noun

Hobbyhorse, Hobby n.

A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag.

A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride. (Usually under the form hobbyhorse)

A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse, thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion. (Usually under the form hobby) "Not one of them has any hobbyhorse, to use the phrase of Sterne."

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Etymology of 'Hobbyhorse'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Hobbyhorse" Quotes from Famous Books

... Radbourn upon his hobbyhorse. He outlined his plan of action: the abolition of all indirect taxes, the State control of all privileges the private ownership of which interfered with the equal rights of all. He would utterly destroy speculative holdings ...

— Other Main-Travelled Roads • Hamlin Garland

... on the subject of Oriental immigration. The politician in office kept one finger on his lip and wore rubber-soled shoes whenever an almond-eyed was mentioned. With that beautiful consistency which only a politician has, a good British Columbia member, who rode Oriental exclusion as his special hobbyhorse, employed a Jap cook. In the midst of his stump campaign against Orientals he found in the room of his cook original drawings of Fort Esquimalt, of Vancouver Harbor and of Victoria back country. I was in British Columbia ...

— The Canadian Commonwealth • Agnes C. Laut

... on his hobby," suggested Ainsworth; "that's the only way to choke Bently off. Where's Fenton? I never knew him quiet for so ...

— The Pagans • Arlo Bates

... in commemoration public rejoicings of various kinds—banquets, balls, fire-works, etc. But among all these public diversions, none was more distinguished for singularity and originality, and perhaps childish simplicity, than the procession of lads and boys on sticks or hobby-horses. Thus mounted, they rode, regularly divided into companies, through the streets, and halted before the hotel of the Red Horse, where was staying ...

— Harper's Young People, April 6, 1880 - An Illustrated Weekly • Various

... emotion, for I was impressed and moved myself. Madame de Stael seized me quickly by the arm, saying, 'I am sure that you would act tragedy admirably; stop with us and take a part in Andromaque.' That was her hobby and amusement of ...

— Worlds Best Histories - France Vol 7 • M. Guizot and Madame Guizot De Witt

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