WHY DO WE SAY — ?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 6

WHY DO WE SAY — ?

" HOBSON'S CHOICE." Some readers well versed in Milton may be unacquainted with the fact that a person on whom the poet wrote two epitaphs is the original of the Hobson in this phrase. When it is a case of "take it or leave it," we often prefer to speak of "Hobson's choice" merely to introduce into our speech the interest that is added by such of the language's curious idioms and old phrases. When we make use of this expression, we mention the very Hobson who was the subject of two short and humorous epitaphs on "The University Carrier" by a poet who could rise to such heights as "Paradise Lost" and "L'Allegro." There is no certainty whether the Christian name of old Hobson the Carrier was Tobias or Thomas, but he lived from about the middle of the sixteenth century to 1030, in which year Milton composed his two epitaphs. Hobson's father is said to have bequeathed to him "the team ware, with which lie now goeth, that is to say, the cart and eight horses," and with this good start Hobson had soon established a splendid trade as a carrier. More important from our point of view, however, is the fact that he was also the first man to set up a business for the hiring out of horses, which before long brought him further trade and fame. In oile respect lie was 'very particular, and this is described by Steele in one number of the "Spectator." "He kept a stable of forty good cattle," we read, "always ready and lit for travelling; but when a man came for a horse, he was led into the stable, where there was great choice, but he obliged him to take the horse which stood nearest to the stable door; so that every customer was alike well served, according to his chance, and every horse ridden with the same justice." Steele also asserts that the proper meaning of the phrase "Hobson's choice" is "there is plenty, but you must make such a choice as, not to hurt another who is to come after you." That idea was, of course, included in the original meaning of the expression, but it lias rather been lost now in the more definite implication of "take it or leave it." In the actual literature of England there occur few uses of this idiom, but in Fisher's "Unsticks Alarm" (1000) we find "if in this case there be no other (as the proverb is) than Hobson's choice, which is, choose whether you will have this or none." In North's "Life of Lord Guildford" (1734) it is written, "They wanted a competition to make the money fly, and they said Hobson's choice waft no choice."