hobnob

[ hob-nob ]

verb (used without object)

, hob·nobbed, hob·nob·bing.

1. to associate on very friendly terms (usually followed by with ):

   She often hobnobs with royalty.

2. Archaic. to drink together.

noun

1. a friendly, informal chat.

hobnob

/ ˈhɒbˌnɒb /

verb

1. to socialize or talk informally
2. obsolete.
   to drink (with)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hobnob¹

First recorded in 1825–30 in the sense “hit or miss; at random”; from the phrase hab or nab literally, “have or have not,” from Middle English habbe or nabbe, Old English habban “to have” + nabbn “not to have” (from ne “not” + habban “to have”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hobnob¹

C18: from hob or nob to drink to one another in turns, hence, to be familiar, ultimately from Old English habban to have + nabban not to have

Example Sentences

Hobnob is another, newer option that was designed to be text-first.

From Washington Post

You can't certainly if you hobnob with the rival candidate and call him a good fellow.

From Project Gutenberg

Im sure they used to hobnob and drink brandy and water together in seedy public-houses.

From Project Gutenberg

Jacinto Quesada had not stopped in passing to hobnob with the Gypsies.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not relish having to hobnob in this way with such a vulgarian as a grafting police captain.

From Project Gutenberg

There were even ladies in bonnets, as if they had run in neighborly to hobnob an hour with Iwakura.

From Project Gutenberg