Thomas Hobson
Thomas Hobson (1544-1630), from whose activities originated the expression Hobson's choice.
Hobson, who lived in Cambridge, England, was a stable manager who rented out horses to undergraduate students. Customers tended to request particular horses again and again, and Hobson realized certain horses were being overworked. He decided to go in for a rotation system, placing the well-rested horses near the stable door, and refused to let out any horse except in its proper turn. He insisted that customers take the horse in the stall closest to the door or take none at all. Thus "Hobson's choice" came to mean no choice.
Referenced By
Hobson's choice
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