Hobby - Etymology

Etymology

The term "hobbyhorse" has been found in documented form in a 1557 payment confirmation for a "Hobby~horse" from Reading, England. The item, originally called a "Tourney Horse", was made of a wooden or basketwork frame and was designed to mimic a real horse, with a fake tail and head, for church and civic occasions. In the 13th century, the term "hobyn" was used, meaning "small horse or pony", and by 1816 the derivative, "hobby", had been introduced into the vocabulary of an unknown number of English people. Over the course of subsequent centuries, the term persisted and developed into its 21st century meaning of "recreational" or "leisurely pursuit".

Hobbies are practiced primarily for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. In the 17th century, the term was used in a pejorative sense due to the childish origins of the term. That is, to engage in one's hobby equated to the horse outfit from the term's formulation and was considered a puerile overindulgence that would yield no benefit. In the 21st century, personal fulfillment is the aim of hobbies in First World Western nations such as England and they are widely considered to be helpful in such societies. Although, in the United Kingdom (UK), the pejorative noun "anorak" (similar to the Japanese "otaku", meaning a geek or enthusiast) is often applied to people who obsessively pursue a particular hobby that is otherwise considered boring.