Mother Hubbard

American  

[huhb-erd] / ˈhʌb ərd /

noun

1. a full, loose gown, usually fitted at the shoulders, worn by women.

2. a character in a nursery rhyme.

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Mother Hubbard British  

/ ˈhʌbəd /

noun

1. (sometimes not capitals) a woman's full-length unbelted dress

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Etymology

Origin of Mother Hubbard

C19: after Mother Hubbard, a character in a nursery rhyme

Example Sentences

“Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard and there wasn’t nothing there,” he said earlier this month as the final stretch arrived before the early signing day Dec. 20.

From Seattle Times

After this memorable event, I went to the hatter’s, and the bootmaker’s, and the hosier’s, and felt rather like Mother Hubbard’s dog whose outfit required the services of so many trades.

From Literature

Thought to be the oldest playable recording of an American voice, it begins with the sound of brass instruments, followed by recitations of Mary Had a Little Lamb and Old Mother Hubbard.

From BBC

And the Corbin Sparrow, with its striking resemblance to Mother Hubbard’s shoe, failed to take off in any meaningful way after going into production in 1999.

From New York Times

“I think this crisis magnifies what is so flawed about our response to hunger in this country,” said Amanda Nickey, who heads Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.

From Washington Post