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.

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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 )

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of hobbyhorse

First recorded in 1550–60; hobby ¹ + horse

Example Sentences

"Study your footwork well, then, Hobbyhorse, for I mean to hobble you."

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood