Hobson-Jobson

[ hob-suhn-job-suhn ]

noun

1. the alteration of a word or phrase borrowed from a foreign language to accord more closely with the phonological and lexical patterns of the borrowing language, as in English hoosegow from Spanish juzgado.

hobson-jobson

/ ˌhɒbsənˈdʒɒbsən /

noun

1. another word for folk etymology

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hobson-Jobson¹

1625–35; Indian English rendering of Arabic yā Ḥasan, yā Husayn lament uttered during taʿziyah; an example of such an alteration

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hobson-Jobson¹

C19: Anglo-Indian folk-etymological variant of Arabic yā Hasan! yā Husayn! O Hasan! O Husain! (ritual lament for the grandsons of Mohammed); influenced by the surnames Hobson and Jobson

Example Sentences

Another section, devoted to the Anglo-Indian dictionary known as “Hobson-Jobson,” reminds us that South Asia gave English not just words like “chutney” and “nirvana” but also “cummerbund,” “khaki” and “shampoo.”

From Washington Post

In 1886 Henry Yule and Arthur Burnell published Hobson-Jobson, a guide to words from Indian languages that had passed into English.

From BBC

Called Hobson-Jobson, it included -

From BBC

Mr Nagra says this is exactly what he loves about Hobson-Jobson.

From BBC

Hobson-Jobson is the dictionary's short, and mysterious title.

From BBC