Hobson-Jobson
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Any Indian religious observance, especially the Muharram.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
‘You must be moped to death in this dull place; and next week is Hobson Jobson. Can’t you throw some dust any how, in the eyes of the cat, and meet me and Philip somewhere, and so get away to the Tamacha.’
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “Hobson-Jobson” mean?
Any Indian religious observance, especially the Muharram.
Is “Hobson-Jobson” formal or informal?
Hobson-Jobson is generally slang.