Hodge, subs. (colloquial).—A farm labourer; a rustic.
1589. Greene, Menaphon, p. 58 [ed. Arber, 1880]. These Arcadians are giuen to take the benefit of euerie Hodge.
1675. A. Marvel, Satire. Hodge’s Vision from the Monument. [Title.]
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hodge, a Country Clown, also Roger.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1791. Smart, Fables, xiii., 27. Is that the care (quoth Hodge)? O rare!
1880. Richard Jefferies, Hodge and his Masters. [Title.]
1884. Mrs. Craik, in Eng. Ill. Mag., Mar., p. 356. Quite different from the bovine, agricultural Hodge of the midland counties.
1893. National Observer, 25 Feb., ix., 358. ‘Pay me an infinitesimal sum,’ Lord Winchilsea says (in effect) to Hodge, ‘and you shall have a weekly newspaper for nothing.’