Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: hobgoblin

Episode Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Episode Overview

This special Halloween episode dives into the word hobgoblin—its definitions, origins, literary appearances, and how its meaning has evolved into both literal and figurative uses. The episode blends folklore, etymology, and a classic literary quote to illuminate the nuances of this mischievous word.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition & Usage

• Literal Meaning:
  • "A hobgoblin is a mischievous goblin that plays tricks in children's stories."
    (00:27)
• Figurative Meaning:
  • "When used figuratively, hobgoblin refers to something that causes fear or worry."
    (00:27)

2. Examples in Pop Culture

• Reference to current horror trends in film:
  • Example sentence from the Hollywood Reporter connects contemporary horror film monsters and the subtle presence of the 'hobgoblin' archetype:

    "But there's one old school hobgoblin that's lurking around the edges of this narrative, omnipresent, repeated across a number of notable new titles, but still somehow avoiding the limelight: The Witch."
    (00:27–01:07)

3. Distinguishing Goblin from Hobgoblin

• Goblin:
  • "Traditionally regarded in folklore as a grotesque, evil, and malicious creature."
• Hobgoblin:
  • "Tends to be more of a playful troublemaker."
• Literary Example:
  • "The character of Puck from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream might be regarded as one."
    (01:10–01:19)

4. Etymology & Historical Origins

• First Appearance:
  • "First appearing in English in the early 1500s, hobgoblin combined goblin, ultimately from the Greek word for rogue, with hob, a word from hobba, a nickname for Robert..."
• Usage:
  • "Used both for clownish louts and rustics, and in fairy tales, for a mischievous song sprite or elf."
    (01:20–01:41)

5. Classic Literary Reference

• Ralph Waldo Emerson Quote:
  • "The American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson famously applied the word's extended sense in his essay Self Reliance with this sentence:"

    "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
    (01:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Figurative Meaning

  "When used figuratively, hobgoblin refers to something that causes fear or worry."
  (00:27, Peter Sokolowski)

• On Folklore Distinction

  "A hobgoblin tends to be more of a playful troublemaker. The character of Puck from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream might be regarded as one."
  (01:12, Peter Sokolowski)

• On Literary Heritage

  "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
  (01:43, Ralph Waldo Emerson as quoted by Peter Sokolowski)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Word introduction and definitions: 00:27
• Folklore distinctions (goblin vs. hobgoblin): 01:07
• Etymological breakdown: 01:20–01:41
• Emerson quotation & figurative sense: 01:43

Tone & Language

Peter Sokolowski’s tone is informative, friendly, and lightly playful to suit the word of the day’s Halloween theme. He draws connections between language origins, folklore, pop culture, and literary greatness, making the episode both educational and engaging.

For more definitions, wordplay, and trending word discussions, visit merriam-webster.com.