hobbyhorse

American  

[hob-ee-hawrs] / ˈhɒb iˌhɔrs /

noun

1. a stick with a horse's head, or a rocking horse, ridden by children.

2. a figure of a horse, attached at the waist of a performer in a morris dance, pantomime, etc.

3. a pet idea or project.

---

hobbyhorse British  

/ ˈhɒbɪˌhɔːs /

noun

1. a toy consisting of a stick with a figure of a horse's head at one end

2. another word for rocking horse

3. a figure of a horse attached to a performer's waist in a pantomime, morris dance, etc

4. a favourite topic or obsessive fixed idea (esp in the phrase on one's hobbyhorse )

---

verb

1. (intr) nautical (of a vessel) to pitch violently

Etymology

Origin of hobbyhorse

First recorded in 1550–60; hobby ¹ + horse

Example Sentences

Simon grinned and grabbed one of the wooden baking paddles, which he proceeded to ride like a hobbyhorse ’round the bakehouse.

From Literature

His eyes grew wide, and then wider still at the sight of Beowulf sitting astride his wolf as naturally as a child riding a hobbyhorse.

From Literature

Still, his hobbyhorse will be on the Supreme Court’s agenda, and it has drawn as much zealous backing as it has ferocious pushback.

From New York Times

“It is refreshingly free both of collegiate sentiment and — in John Updike’s memorable phrase — the dim rumble of hobbyhorses being ridden back and forth across the floor,” Washington Post book reviewer L.J.

From Washington Post

He has gone on to establish regular, silly characters - a romantic poet, a highwayman with a hobbyhorse, and a running story that sends up the allure of the archetypal aloof hero.

From BBC