2006-11-01 04:11:11 · 4 answers · asked by Jimjo83 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
It's "Hobson's choice" and it means having no real choice at all.
Thomas Hobson (1545–1631), operated a carrier and horse rental business in Cambridge, England, around the turn of the 17th century.
He rented horses mainly to Cambridge University students but refused to rent them out other than in their correct order. The choice his customers were given was 'this or none', in other words, Hobson's choice
2006-11-01 04:13:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The phrase originates from Thomas Hobson (1544–1630), who lived in Cambridge, England. Hobson was a stable manager renting out horses to travelers; the site of his stables is now part of St. Catharine's College. After customers began requesting particular horses again and again, Hobson realized certain horses were being overworked. He decided to begin a rotation system, placing the well-rested horses near the stable door, and refused to let out any horse except in its proper turn. He offered customers the choice of taking the horse in the stall nearest the door or taking none at all.
2006-11-01 12:16:26 · answer #2 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hobbs had to choose whether to turn Calvin in for treason, or accompany him on his run for the border.
2006-11-01 12:57:47 · answer #3 · answered by jinenglish68 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term is "Hobson's Choice", it means no choice but to choose.
2006-11-01 17:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋