Note: It is said to have had its origin in the name of one Hobson, at Cambridge, England, who let horses, and required every customer to take in his turn the horse which stood next the stable door. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Hobson's Choice — is a play by Harold Brighouse, the title coming from the popular expression, Hobson s choice meaning no choice at all.The play was first produced in America, the first English production being on June 24 1916 in London. The story is set in… … Wikipedia
Hobson’s Choice — Hobson s Choice bezeichnet mehrere gleichnamige, im NRHP gelistete, Objekte: Hobson s Choice (Maryland), ID Nr. 84001802 Hobson s Choice (Virginia), ID Nr. 80004174 Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer mit demselben… … Deutsch Wikipedia
hobson's choice — A Hobson s choice is something that appears to be a free choice, but is really no choice as there is no genuine alternative … The small dictionary of idiomes
Hobson's choice — English university slang term, supposedly a reference to Thomas Hobson (c.1544 1631), Cambridge stable manager who let horses and gave customers a choice of the horse next in line or none at all. Phrase popularized c.1660 by Milton, who was at… … Etymology dictionary
Hobson's choice — ► NOUN ▪ a choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all. ORIGIN named after Thomas Hobson (1554 1631), a carrier who hired out horses, making the customer take the one nearest the door or none at all … English terms dictionary
Hobson's choice — [häb′sənz] n. [after T. Hobson (1544? 1631), of Cambridge, England, who owned livery stables and let horses in strict order according to their position near the door] a choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all; lack of an alternative … English World dictionary
Hobson's choice — A Hobson s choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered, and one may refuse to take that option. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not taking it, colloquially formulated as take it or leave it. The phrase Hobson… … Wikipedia
Hobson's Choice — Where to elect there is but one. Tis Hobson s choice take that or none. Thomas Ward When, years ago, you went to buy a Ford, and the auto dealer said take any color as long as it s black, you were given Hobson s choice. The choice boils down… … Dictionary of eponyms
Hobson's Choice — Chaussure à son pied (film) Chaussure à son pied Titre original Hobson’s Choice Réalisation David Lean Acteurs principaux Charles Laughton John Mills Scénario Wynyard Browne David Lean Norman Spencer d après Harold Brighouse Genre Comédie… … Wikipédia en Français
Hobson’s choice — n [U] a situation in which there is no choice, because only one course of action or result is possible. The expression comes from the name of Thomas Hobson, a 17th–century British horse dealer who would not allow his customers any choice when… … Universalium
