Hobson's Choice
<p class="default"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;"> <strong>OED</strong> : The option of taking one thing offered or nothing. Named from Tobias Hobson, the Cambridge carrier (commemorated by Milton in two Epitaphs), who let out horses, and is said to have compelled customers to take the horse which happened to be next the stable-door, or go without. (first use 1660) </span></p>
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<p class="default"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;"> <strong>Brewers</strong> : </span></p>
<p class="default"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;"> <strong>Hobson's Choice</strong> This or none. Tobias Hobson was a carrier and innkeeper at Cambridge, who erected the handsome conduit there, and settled "seven lays" of pasture ground towards its maintenance. "He kept a stable of forty good cattle, always ready and fit for travelling; but when a man came for a horse he was led into the stable, where there was great choice, but was obliged to take the horse which stood nearest to the stable-door; so that every customer was alike well served, according to his chance, and every horse ridden with the same justice." ( <em>Spectator,</em> No. 509.) </span></p>
<p class="default"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;">Milton wrote two quibbling epitaphs upon this eccentric character. </span></p>
<p class="default"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;">"Why is the greatest of free communities reduced to Hobson's choice?" - <em>The Times.</em> </span></p>
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