hobbyhorse

Definitions

1. 1.A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride. [ Usually under the form hobbyhorse.]
2. 2.A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse, thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion. [Usually under the form hobby.] Not one of them has any hobbyhorse, to use the phrase of Sterne. Macaulay.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "hobbyhorse" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is hobbyhorse.

• What is a stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride. [ Usually under the form hobbyhorse.] called?