3. (old).—A witless and unmannerly lout.

1609. Jonson, Epicœne, iv., 2. Daw. Here be in presence have tasted of her favors. Cler. What a neighing hobby-horse is this!

Verb (old).—To romp.

Hob-collingwood, subs. phr. (North Country).—The four of hearts, considered an unlucky card.

Hob-jobber, subs. (streets).—A man or boy on the look out for small jobs—holding horses, carrying parcels, and the like.

Hob-nail, subs. (old).—A countryman. For synonyms, see Joskin. [[323]]

1647. Beaumont and Fletcher, Women Pleased, ii., 6. The hob-nail thy husband’s as fitly out o’ th’ way now.

1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hobnail, a country clodhopper, from the shoes of country farmers and ploughmen being commonly stuck full of hobnails, and even often clouted, or tipped with iron.

Hobnailed, adj. (colloquial).—Boorish; clumsy; coarse; ill-done.

1599. Jonson, Every Man out of his Humour. Sog. A wretched hobnailed chuff.