Hobby
A regular activity done for enjoyment during leisure time.
Last updated
The term "hobby" originally referred to a "small horse and pony" in the 16th century.[1] The word "hobby" as a derivative was adopted by English speakers by 1816, and over time its meaning shifted to denote recreation and leisure activities.[2] Hobbies encompass a wide range of pursuits that can be sorted by their topic, how much time they demand, or whether they are done alone or with others.[3]
Quick Facts
- Field
- Leisure and recreation
- Known for
- Regular activity done for enjoyment during leisure time
- Classification
- Casual leisure
- serious leisure
- project-based leisure
- Etymology origin
- 16th century term 'hobby' meaning small horse and pony
- Cultural shift
- Mid-18th century acceptance as working people gained more leisure time
Facts from the source article.
Making and release
Sir Matthew Hale in 1676 wrote that "Almost every person hath some hobby horse or other wherein he prides himself".[4] The cultural shift toward acceptance of hobbies began during the mid-18th century as working people gained more regular hours and greater leisure time.[5] A 2018 study using survey results identified the term "hobby" to most accurately describe activities associated with making or collecting objects, especially when done alone.[6] A record from Reading, England, dated 1557, confirms a payment for a "Hobbyhorse" constructed from a wooden or basketwork frame and fitted with an artificial head and tail.[1]
Before the middle of the 19th century, society often viewed hobbies as obsessions that carried a negative stigma.[4] During the 1830s, the idea of offering appealing alternatives to steer people away from harmful behaviors gained prominence.[5]
What the cited sources add
The Phrase Finder notes that "hobby-horses" took their name from the Irish breed and are still seen in English folk tradition, such as the annual 'Obby 'Oss festival in Padstow, Cornwall.[7] The Phrase Finder records that John Barbour's 1375 work "The Bruce" calls the extinct Irish breed 'hobynis'.[7] Orwell wrote that all the culture most truly native to England centers around the pub, the football match, the back garden, the fireside, and the "nice cup of tea".[8] Stebbins' system divides leisure into three categories: casual leisure, serious leisure, and project-based leisure.[3]
References
- Wikipedia, "Hobby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: The Phrase Finder, "Hobby-horse", The Phrase Finder, 1996–2012 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Hobby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "hobby", Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2012 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Hobby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Stebbins, "Serious Leisure: A Perspective for Our Time", Transaction Publishers, 2015 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Hobby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Daily, "Towards a definition of "hobby": An empirical test of a proposed operational definition of the word hobby", Journal of Occupational Science, 2018-07-03, p. 368–382; Sir Matthew Hale, "Contemplations moral and divine", Printed by William Godbid, for William Shrowbury at the Bible in Duke-Lane, and John Leigh at the Blew Bell Fleet Street near Chancery-lane, 1676, p. 201 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Hobby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Thomson F M L. The Cambridge Social History of Britain, 1750–1950 Vol 2. Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 327 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Hobby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Daily, "Towards a definition of "hobby": An empirical test of a proposed operational definition of the word hobby", Journal of Occupational Science, 2018-07-03, p. 368–382 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- The Phrase Finder, "Hobby-horse", The Phrase Finder, 1996–2012. facts only, no text reused. phrases.org.uk
- Orwell, "The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius.", England Your England, 28 February 1941. facts only, no text reused. orwell.ru
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Hobby (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Games And Recreation
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Hobby (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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