Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

hobbledehoy

 - 3 dictionary results

hob⋅ble⋅de⋅hoy

  [hob-uhl-dee-hoi]
Use hobbledehoy in a Sentence
–noun
an awkward, ungainly youth.
Origin:
1530–40; var. of hoberdyhoy, alliterative compound, equiv. to hoberd (var. of Roberd Robert) + -y 2 + -hoy for boy (b > h for alliteration; see hob 2 )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hobbledehoy
hob·ble·de·hoy   (hŏb'əl-dē-hoi')   
n.   pl. hob·ble·de·hoys
A gawky adolescent boy.

[Origin unknown.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

hobbledehoy 
"clumsy or awkward youth," 1540, first element is probably hob in its sense of "clown, prankster" (see hobgoblin), the second element seems to be M.Fr. de haye "worthless, untamed, wild," lit. "of the hedge."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see hobbledehoy on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way