hob

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.]

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.

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A male ferret.

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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

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