E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hobgob’lin.
Puck or Robin Good-fellow. Keightley thinks it a corruption of Rob-Goblin—i.e. the goblin Robin, just as Hodge is the nickname of
Roger, which seems to agree with the subjoined quotation:
1
“Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck,
You do their work, and they shall have good luck.”
Shakespeare: Midsummer Night’s Dream, ii. 1.
Hob is certainly sometimes used for a sprite or fairy, as a hob-lantern—i.e. an ignis fatuus or fairy-lantern, but this may mean a “Puck-lantern” or “Robin Goodfellow-lantern.”
Hob is certainly sometimes used for a sprite or fairy, as a hob-lantern—i.e. an ignis fatuus or fairy-lantern, but this may mean a “Puck-lantern” or “Robin Goodfellow-lantern.”
