Hobby horse

In [[folklore]], a '''hobby horse''' is a costumed character that features in some traditional seasonal customs, processions and similar observances around the world. In [[England]], they are particularly associated with [[May Day]] celebrations, [[mummers' play]]s and the [[Morris dance]].

In [[folklore]], a '''hobby horse''' is a costumed character that features in some traditional seasonal customs, processions and similar observances around the world. In [[England]], they are particularly associated with [[May Day]] celebrations, [[mummers' play]]s and the [[Morris dance]].

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The word ''hobby'' is glossed by the [[OED]] as "a small or middle-sized horse; an ambling or pacing horse; a pony". The word is attested in English from the 14th century, as [[Middle English]] ''hobyn''. [[Old French]] had {{lang|fro|hobin}} or {{lang|fro|haubby}}, whence Modern French {{lang|fr|aubin}} and Italian {{lang|it|ubino}}. But the Old French term is apparently adopted from English rather than vice versa. OED connects it to "the by-name ''Hobin'', ''Hobby''", a variant of ''Robin''" (compare the abbreviation ''Hob'' for ''Robert''). This appears to have been a name customarily given to a cart-horse, as attested by [[White Kennett]] in his ''Parochial Antiquities'' (1695), who stated that "Our ploughmen to some one of their cart-horses generally give the name of Hobin, the very word which [[Philippe de Commines|Philippe de Commines]] uses, Hist. VI. vii." Another familiar form of the same Christian name, ''Dobbin'', has also become a generic name for a cart-horse.

The word ''hobby'' is glossed by the [[OED]] as "a small or middle-sized horse; an ambling or pacing horse; a pony". The word is attested in English from the 14th century, as [[Middle English]] ''hobyn''. [[Old French]] had {{lang|fro|hobin}} or {{lang|fro|haubby}}, whence Modern French {{lang|fr|aubin}} and Italian {{lang|it|ubino}}. But the Old French term is apparently adopted from English rather than vice versa. OED connects it to "the by-name ''Hobin'', ''Hobby''", a variant of ''Robin''" (compare the abbreviation ''Hob'' for ''Robert''). This appears to have been a name customarily given to a cart-horse, as attested by [[White Kennett]] in his ''Parochial Antiquities'' (1695), who stated that "Our ploughmen to some one of their cart-horses generally give the name of Hobin, the very word which [[Philippe de Commines]] uses, Hist. VI. vii." Another familiar form of the same Christian name, ''Dobbin'', has also become a generic name for a cart-horse.

[[Samuel Johnson]], ''Dictionary of the English Language'', 1755, glosses: "A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag."

[[Samuel Johnson]], ''Dictionary of the English Language'', 1755, glosses: "A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag."