Hob (hearth)

In a kitchen the hob is a projection, shelf, grate or bench for holding food or utensils at the back or side of a hearth (fireplace) to keep them warm, or an internal chimney-corner. In modern British English usage, the word refers to a cooktop or hotplate, as distinguished from an oven.[1]

For related uses see Hob.

Etymology

The word is a noun meaning approximately "holder", derived from the Old English verb habban "to have, hold".[2] The word hub "support of a disk or wheel" is apparently from the same source.[3]

  • Hearths and hobs
  • A fireplace in a German castle showing a brick hob.
  • Hearth and hob in a traditional Slovenian kitchen.
  • Reconstructed hearth and hob in the Fuggerei.
  • Colonial kitchen with a pitcher on the hob.
  • A cooktop is called a hob in modern British English.

See also

References
  1. "The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2007-11-26. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  2. E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
  3. Merriam Webster Online
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