Question

What is the origin of the word "hobby"?

Answer 1

Ответ:

In the 13th century the word hobby referred to a small horse or a pony. It later came to describe a toy horse — a hobbyhorse. It's from the hobbyhorse that the word's modern sense of “favorite pastime” evolved. A hobby is something that you do for fun — not money — and you typically do it fairly regularly.

Answer 2

Ответ:

hobby is this when a person is doing what they love. For example, how to collect stamps, stickers, collect various things. It's very interesting!

Answer 3

The word "hobby" has an interesting origin that dates back to the 16th century. It originally meant a small horse or pony, often used for riding or sport. The term comes from the medieval English word "hobyn," which was a nickname for Robert or Robin, a common name in England at the time.

"Hobyn" was used to refer to a type of horse or pony that was considered small and easy to manage, suitable for riding and leisure activities rather than heavy work or combat. Over time, the term "hobby horse" was used to describe a child's toy horse, often made from a stick with a horse's head attached to it, which children would "ride" around as if on a real horse.

As time went on, the term "hobby" began to shift in meaning. By the 17th century, it had come to refer to a particular interest, activity, or pastime that one pursued for pleasure, often in one's leisure time. This usage likely developed from the notion of engaging in activities that were done for enjoyment, similar to how one might ride a hobby horse for amusement.

Today, the term "hobby" still carries the sense of an activity that someone does for pleasure and personal interest rather than for financial gain or professional reasons. It has evolved from its equestrian origins to encompass a wide range of activities and interests that people pursue in their free time.