Hobson-Jobson

[ hob-suhn-job-suhn ]

noun

1. the alteration of a word or phrase borrowed from a foreign language to accord more closely with the phonological and lexical patterns of the borrowing language, as in English hoosegow from Spanish juzgado.

hobson-jobson

/ ˌhɒbsənˈdʒɒbsən /

noun

1. See folk etymology
   another word for folk etymology

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hobson-Jobson¹

1625–35; Indian English rendering of Arabic yā Ḥasan, yā Husayn lament uttered during taʿziyah; an example of such an alteration

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hobson-Jobson¹

C19: Anglo-Indian folk-etymological variant of Arabic yā Hasan! yā Husayn! O Hasan! O Husain! (ritual lament for the grandsons of Mohammed); influenced by the surnames Hobson and Jobson

Example Sentences

The law of Hobson-Jobson made changes in other Indian names, sometimes complete and sometimes only partial.

From Project Gutenberg

It comes, by the law of Hobson-Jobson, from the French carriole.

From Project Gutenberg

Jerked beef came from the Spanish charqui by the law of Hobson-Jobson.

From Project Gutenberg

Hobson-jobson, hob′son-job′son, n. a native festal excitement, esp.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm going to dress and put an end to this Hobson-Jobson flummery!

From Project Gutenberg