hob·by·horse /ˈhɑbiˌhɔrs/
木馬;搖馬;竹馬
Hob·by Hob·by·horse n.
1. A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag.
2. A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride. [ Usually under the form hobbyhorse.]
3. 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.
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hobbyhorse
n 1: a topic to which one constantly reverts; "don't get him
started on his hobbyhorse"
2: a child's plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted
on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride
[syn: hobby, rocking horse]