What does hobbyhorse mean?
A hobbyhorse is, literally, a child's toy made to resemble a horse, often a stick with a horse's head that can be carried or ridden. In figurative use, however, the word means an activity, interest, or project to which a person is devoted with unusual enthusiasm, sometimes to the exclusion of more practical responsibilities. The expression 'ride one's hobbyhorse' and the related phrase 'get off one's hobbyhorse' are established idioms. The figurative sense can be affectionate when it describes a productive enthusiasm, but it is often teasing or critical when it suggests obsessive attachment. Hobbyhorse is especially common in British and American English and is useful when discussing the difference between a casual interest and a consuming passion.
nounA hobbyhorse is a toy or stick figure with a horse's head, traditionally carried or ridden by a child. Figuratively, it refers to an activity, project, or interest that someone pursues with enthusiastic, sometimes excessive devotion.
- A toy or stick figure with a horse's head, usually carried or ridden by a child.
- An activity, interest, or project pursued with enthusiastic or excessive devotion.
"Her restoration of an old sailboat had become a genuine hobbyhorse, occupying most of her weekends."
"The child rode his wooden hobbyhorse around the garden while pretending to be a knight."
"The dictionary was the editor's hobbyhorse, to which she returned whenever another project lost its appeal."
The plural is formed by adding -s; in figurative use, the plural commonly refers to several favored activities or projects.
"Her hobbyhorses included crossword solving, birdwatching, and collecting old maps."
A hobbyhorse is what an idea becomes when its owner refuses to let it out of the saddle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hobbyhorse come from?
Hobbyhorse is a compound formed from “hobby” and “horse.” The word “hobby” originally referred to a type or kind of horse and was later extended to mean a pastime or activity pursued for pleasure, giving rise to “hobbyist” and “hobbying.” The compound hobbyhorse developed in the late medieval period for the horse-like toy; its figurative use for a favored pursuit is considerably later.
Related word forms
How hobbyhorse is actually used
The figurative sense is often mildly critical or dismissive: it suggests that the activity is consuming a disproportionate amount of the person's time or attention. The expression 'ride one's hobbyhorse' can be more playful or approving, depending on context.
Easily confused with hobbyhorse
A hobby is an activity pursued for enjoyment, whereas a hobbyhorse is either a horse-shaped toy or, figuratively, the particular activity or project on which someone has become excessively engrossed.