Play hob with
Posted by Scott Stock Gissendanner on June 13, 2009 at 07:45
What is the origin of the idiom "to play hob with"?
The meaning seems clear: to make a mess of. I'm guessing it originates in the meaning of "hob" - a mischievous fairy as in hob goblin. But how old is the phrase? I found it in a book written in 1990.
- Play hob with ESC 13/June/09