Ride a hobby-horse
Meaning
To excessively and repeatedly talk about a particular topic or idea that is a personal favorite.
Origin
The 'hobby-horse' began as a popular children's toy in 16th-century England: a simple stick with a horse's head, which children would 'ride' with joyous abandon. This literal toy, a symbol of playful obsession, quickly transitioned into a powerful metaphor. By the 17th century, the phrase conjured the image of someone constantly mounting and riding their favorite subject, much like a child absorbed in their make-believe equestrian world. It became a vivid way to describe a person who relentlessly returns to their pet topic, often to the weariness of their audience, perfectly capturing the persistent fixation on a cherished theme.
Examples
- Whenever the conversation turns to local politics, John inevitably rides his hobby-horse about the need for better public transportation.
- She tends to ride her hobby-horse about organic gardening, even when no one has asked for advice.