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 • Nov. 30, 2023

Margaret Brown, a pickpocket known as Old Mother Hubbard, was featured in an 1886 publication, Professional Criminals of North America.

From The Guardian • Jan. 14, 2021

Had Old Mother Hubbard been able to check what Jim Mora left in UCLA's talent cupboard, we might have had college football's first nursery rhyme.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2018

“I don’t see how you ever keep your hair in curl. And that Mother Hubbard you are wearing went out 10 years ago.”

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2014

If you were only dressed in old clothes, and Pomp was poor instead of sleek and fat, you would do for a Mother Hubbard.

From My Treasure by Handford, Thomas W.