Who was Hobson and why does his choice mean you have no choice?

JaneofGaunt

How did the phrase 'Hobson's Choice' originate? The first written reference to the source of the phrase was in Joseph Addison's paper The Spectator (14 October 1712): 'Mr Hobson always kept a stable of 40 good cattle, always ready and fit 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 next to the stable door: so that every customer was alike well served according to his chance, and every horse ridden with the same justice: from whence it became a proverb, when what ought to be your election was forced upon you to say 'Hobson's Choice'. http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/cambridge800/hobson.htm Dec 16 03, 1:09 PM

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1 "Hobson's Choice" Part One 'Hobson's Choice' is both a book and a play set in the north of England in 1880. Both parts of this quiz, however, are based on the film made in 1954, with a stellar cast who bring the pages of this popular novel to life. Hn - Hz Movies Difficult 10 Q sad-woman Jan 08 09 126 plays 2 Trickster's Choice This is a quiz on the book, "Trickster's Choice", by Tamora Pierce. I enjoyed this book a lot and I hope you will enjoy this quiz. Trickster Very Easy 10 Q Underthebridge Feb 13 04 1536 plays 3 Trickster's Choice Here's a pretty easy quiz on "Trickster's Choice" by Tamora Pierce. Pretty good book! Trickster Average 10 Q bubbly_bimbo Oct 31 03 1206 plays