hobby horse

== English == === Alternative forms === hobbyhorse, hobby-horse === Pronunciation === === Noun === hobby horse (plural hobby horses) (originally) The Irish Hobby, an extinct breed of horse. A child's toy consisting of a (usually wooden or cloth) horse's head mounted on a stick. (figuratively) A topic that elicits a prolonged and enthusiastic discussion from an individual. A puppetlike costume used in some traditional dances and festivals that gives its wearer the appearance of a man on horseback. (cycling, historical) An early bicycle with no pedals or brakes. Synonyms: dandy horse, draisienne ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === hobby horse (third-person singular simple present hobby horses, present participle hobby horsing, simple past and past participle hobby horsed) (nautical, intransitive) To pitch back and forth. === See also === rocking horse