Hobbyhorse: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ด
hobbyhorse
[ หhษbiหhษหrs ]
riding toy
A hobbyhorse is a child's toy consisting of a model of a horse mounted on a stick, which children can ride and pretend to gallop. It can also refer to a favorite pastime or activity that someone is particularly enthusiastic about.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The children played with their hobbyhorses in the backyard.
- Her hobbyhorse is painting; she spends every weekend in her studio.
- He often brings up his hobbyhorse during discussions about community service.
Translations
Translations of the word "hobbyhorse" in other languages:
๐ต๐น cavalo de pau
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฟเคฒเฅเคจเคพ เคเฅเคกเคผเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Steckenpferd
๐ฎ๐ฉ kuda mainan
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะธัััะธะน ะบัะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ kucyk na patyku
๐ฏ๐ต ใใใกใใฎ้ฆฌ
๐ซ๐ท cheval bรขton
๐ช๐ธ caballo de juguete
๐น๐ท tahta at
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฅ๋๊ฐ ๋ง
๐ธ๐ฆ ุญุตุงู ูุนุจุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ dลevฤnรฝ kลฏล
๐ธ๐ฐ drevenรฝ kรดล
๐จ๐ณ ็ฉๅ ท้ฉฌ
๐ธ๐ฎ leseni konj
๐ฎ๐ธ leikfangur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะพะนัะฝัั ะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแจแแก แชแฎแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ oyuncaq at
๐ฒ๐ฝ caballo de juguete
Etymology
The word 'hobbyhorse' dates back to the late 15th century, originally referring to a type of child's toy that mimics a horse for riding. The term is derived from the 'hobby', a diminutive form of the name 'Hob', which was a common name for a horse in medieval England. The addition of 'horse' relates directly to the toy's equestrian theme. In the 17th century, 'hobbyhorse' evolved in meaning to also depict a person's favorite interest or passion, reflecting how certain pastimes can enthrall individuals much like a child rides their beloved toy horse. Over time, the concept has persisted, where 'hobbyhorse' is used metaphorically in modern language to denote topics or activities someone is particularly passionate or vocal about, often in a repetitive manner.