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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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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
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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
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Example Sentences

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

It comes, by the law of Hobson-Jobson, from the French carriole.

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

Hobson-jobson, hob′son-job′son, n. a native festal excitement, esp.

I'm going to dress and put an end to this Hobson-Jobson flummery!

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