Chrysti the Wordsmith > Radio Scripts

The expression Hobson's choice refers to the frustrating decision of either taking exactly what's offered or nothing at all.

The man immortalized in this phrase is Thomas Hobson, a 17th century livery man and innkeeper in Cambridge, England. Hobson also stabled some 40 horses for hire to the students of that city's prestigious university, and to travelers between Cambridge and London.

To insure that all of his horses were given equal time under the saddle, Thomas Hobson established a rotational rental system whereby the renter was required to ride the horse nearest the stable door, and no other. This prevented his customers from habitually renting and tiring the finest horses in the Hobson stable. Though the renter may have preferred, for example, the swift black mare, he could not ride her until she appeared in Hobson's scheme of rotation.

Thus, the renter's only options were Hobson's choice of horse, or a long walk on foot.

On January 18, 1997, Washington Post columnist Jonathan Yardley wrote this in an essay about a visit to Mississippi: "Twenty five years ago when I pulled off for lunch, the choice might have been a barbecue pit or a Moon Pie and a Dr. Pepper. Now the choice is McDonald's or Wendy's, a Hobson's choice if ever there was one."

Radio Script > Hobson's Choice