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hobbledehoy

hobbledehoy

1 9.9
A tall, awkward teenage boy who moves and acts clumsily
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑːbəlˌdɪhɔɪ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : mozalbete (literario, despectivo)
  • The group of hobbledehoys at the park were chasing each other and making a ruckus.

Examples

  • Despite his size, the hobbledehoy had a charming awkwardness that made everyone laugh.

  • Who wants more hobbledehoys in the world?

  • The hobbledehoy stumbled over his own feet while trying to impress his friends.

Synonyms

galoot
vshobbledehoy
  • Offensive
6 9.9

A man who is clumsy and a little silly

refers to an awkward adolescent male rather than an adult figure
stumblebum
vshobbledehoy
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who is clumsy and acts in a silly, awkward way

focuses on a young male who is awkward and often poorly behaved
horg
vshobbledehoy
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A rude person who is clumsy and unpleasant

is about an awkward adolescent male rather than any aged person
clumsy person
vshobbledehoy
1 3.4

A person who moves awkwardly and often drops or breaks things

adds idea of youth and poor manners, not just physical awkwardness
looby
vshobbledehoy
  • Offensive
9.9

A clumsy person who often makes silly mistakes

is a modern informal word for an awkward ungainly adolescent male

How Awkward

hobbledehoy
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Surface Forms

hobbledehoy singular
hobbledehoys plural

Morphology

hobbledehoy = hobble + hoy (semi-transparent) = hobble + hoy

The parts 'hobble' (awkward gait) and 'hoy' (an awkward youth, archaic) make the meaning guessable, but the intervening filler '-de-' and the archaic status of 'hoy' reduce predictability for learners.

Etymology

Hobbledehoy comes from the parts hobble ('to limp') and hoy ('clumsy boy'), so imagine a young person who moves or acts clumsily; that is why it means an awkward or ungainly adolescent boy.