hob

(hŏb)
n.

1. A shelf or projection at the back or side of a fireplace, used for keeping food or utensils warm.
2. A tool used for cutting the teeth of machine parts, as of a gearwheel.

[Origin unknown.]

hob² (hŏb)
n.

1. Chiefly British. A hobgoblin, sprite, or elf.
2. Mischievous behavior.

[From Middle English Hob, a nickname for Robert, a nickname for Robert.]

View more Literature & Language videos

In the north of England and some Midlands counties, hob was the most common name for rough, hairy creatures of the brownie type, whose work brought prosperity to farms; like brownies, they might become mischievous nuisances if annoyed, and would leave for ever if given new clothes. On the other hand, it might prove impossible to get rid of a troublesome hob (Henderson, 1866: 228; Atkinson, 1891: 54-5). There were also outdoor hobs, notably one living in a cave called the Hobhole in Runswick Bay, supposed able to cure whooping cough (Wright, 1913: 202).

There is no special significance to the name; it is a common medieval shortening of ‘Robert’ or ‘Robin’, often implying ‘country bumpkin, stupid peasant’. The first record of it being used of a supernatural being is from 1460; the compounds hobgoblin and hobthrush appear in the following century.

Bibliography
The full bibliography list is available here.

• For discussion of this and related words, see Briggs, 1976: 222-3
• and Gillian Edwards, Hobgoblin and Sweet Puck (1974), 123-42

A flat projecting shelf at the side of a fireplace where pots or pans may be placed to keep warm.

---

A male ferret.

For a list of words related to hob, see:

• Structural and Decorative Elements - hob: projection at back or side of fireplace on which pot is hung to be kept warm

---

See words rhyming with "hob."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Hob.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
1.
n. - hanilder, nisse

2.
n. - kogeplade, kaminplade, prægestempel

Nederlands (Dutch)
kookplaat, zijplaat aan haard, pin, kabouter, mannetjesfret

Français (French)
1.
n. - table de cuisson, plaque (sur laquelle on tient la bouilloire au chaud)

2.
n. - lutin, gobelin, (Mythol) elfe

Deutsch (German)
1.
n. - Kochplatte, Kamineinsatz, Kochfeld

2.
n. - Nagel beim Wurfspiel

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ράφι τζακιού
v. - προκαλώ αναστάτωση

Italiano (Italian)
piano di cottura, fresa a vite, chiodare

Português (Portuguese)
n. - chapa (f) de aquecimento (no fogão), espírito (m) travesso, ferramenta (f) corta-dentes (Mec.)
v. - usar ferramenta corta-dentes (Mec.)

Русский (Russian)
мужлан, полка в камине для подогревания пищи, колышек, полоз, ступица

Español (Spanish)
1.
n. - quemador

2.
n. - duende

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - spisplatta (vid sidan av eldhärd), målpinne (vid kastlekar), troll
v. - kugga

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
1. 淘气的小妖精, 捉弄人的精灵

2. 平头钉, 壁炉搁架

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
1.
n. - 平頭釘, 壁爐擱架

2.
n. - 淘氣的小妖精, 捉弄人的精靈

한국어 (Korean)
1.
n. - 벽난로, 표적 막대기, 톱니 내는 연장

2.
n. - 장난꾸러기, 심한 장난, 시골뜨기

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 暖炉の中の棚

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) غول أو عفريت أو جني مؤذ, الحاجب الحديدي نتوء في مؤخر أو جانب الموقد لتسخين شئ, مقطع مسننات مخدد ميكانيك (فعل) يزود النعل بمسامير قصيرة عريضه الرؤوس, , يقطع بمقطع مسننات مخدد‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮הצד העליון של כיריים, מכשיר-חיתוך, יתד שטבעות נזרקות עליה במשחק, מדף-מתכת (ליד האח לחימום אוכל)‬
n. - ‮שד, סמור, כפרי, גמד‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.