| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Hobgob’lin. | | |
|
Puck or Robin Good-fellow. Keightley thinks it a corruption of Rob-Goblin—i.e. the goblin Robin, just as Hodge is the nickname of
Roger, which seems to agree with the subjoined quotation: | 1 |
| |
| “Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck, |
| You do their work, and they shall have good luck.” | |
|
| |
Shakespeare: Midsummer Night’s Dream, ii. 1. |
|
 Hob is certainly sometimes used for a sprite or fairy, as a hob-lantern—i.e. an ignis fatuus or fairy-lantern, but this may mean a “Puck-lantern” or “Robin Goodfellow-lantern.” | 2 |
| |
|
|
