Hobson-Jobson

[ hob-suh n-job-suh n ]

/ ˈhɒb sənˈdʒɒb sən /

noun

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.

Origin of Hobson-Jobson

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

Example sentences from the Web for hobson-jobson

The law of Hobson-Jobson made changes in other Indian names, sometimes complete and sometimes only partial.

The American Language |Henry L. Mencken
Hobson-jobson, hob′son-job′son, n. a native festal excitement, esp.

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) |Various
It comes, by the law of Hobson-Jobson, from the French carriole.

The American Language |Henry L. Mencken
I'm going to dress and put an end to this Hobson-Jobson flummery!

Gold Out of Celebes |Aylward Edward Dingle

Jerked beef came from the Spanish charqui by the law of Hobson-Jobson.

The American Language |Henry L. Mencken

British Dictionary definitions for hobson-jobson

hobson-jobson

/ (ˌhɒbsənˈdʒɒbsən) /

noun

another word for folk etymology

Word Origin for hobson-jobson

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

Hobson-Jobson

noun

Origin of Hobson-Jobson

Example sentences from the Web for hobson-jobson

British Dictionary definitions for hobson-jobson

noun

Word Origin for hobson-jobson