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A Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered, and one may refuse to take that option. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not taking it. The phrase is said to originate from Thomas Hobson (1544–1630), a livery stable owner at Cambridge, England who, in order to rotate the use of his horses, offered customers the choice of either taking the horse in the stall nearest the door—or taking none at all. It is analogous to the expression "my way or the highway". Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Hobsons choice is an apparently free choice which is really no choice at all. ... Thomas Hobson (1544?-1631), sometimes called The Cambridge Carrier, is best known as the name behind the expression Hobsons choice. ... This article is about the city in England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

The first known written usage of this phrase is in Joseph Addison's paper The Spectator (October 14, 1712), though it also appears in Thomas Ward's 1688 poem "England's Reformation", not published until after Ward's death. Ward wrote, "Where to elect there is but one, / 'Tis Hobson's choice—take that, or none." Charlotte Perkins Gilman uses the phrase in her novel "Herland". The term also appears multiple times in Robert Heinlein's "Job: A Comedy of Justice." Harold Brighouse wrote a play entitled 'Hobson's Choice' in which the central character Hobson is given such a choice. Joseph Addison, the Kit-cat portrait, circa 1703–1712, by Godfrey Kneller. ... The Spectator was a daily publication of 1711–12, founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in England. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events Treaty of Aargau signed between Catholic and Protestants. ... Charlotte Perkins Gilman (July 3, 1860 – August 17, 1935) was a prominent American poet, non-fiction writer, short story writer, novelist, lecturer, and social reformer. ...

Hobson's choice is different from:

• a true choice between two (or more) options
• blackmail (Have something rendered a way you do not want)
• extortion (do something or suffer unpleasant consequences of some other sort)
• a Catch-22 or Morton's Fork situation (all choices yield equivalent, often undesirable results).

Catch-22 is a term coined by Joseph Heller in his novel Catch-22, describing a paradox in a law, regulation or practice in which one is a victim regardless of the choice one makes[1]. In probability theory, it refers a situation similar to Heads I win, tails you... Mortons Fork is an expression that describes a choice between two equally unpleasant alternatives (in other words, a dilemma), or two lines of reasoning that lead to the same unpleasant conclusion. ...

Modern usage

Hobson's choice is often misused not to mean a false illusion of choice,^{[citation needed]} but simply a choice between two undesirable options, known as a Morton's Fork. For example, if the horse in the stall nearest the door is in poor shape, the traditional usage of Hobson's choice becomes the more common use, since having an unhealthy horse and having no horse at all are both undesirable. Such a choice between two options of nearly equal value is more properly called a dilemma. Mortons Fork is an expression that describes a choice between two equally unpleasant alternatives (in other words, a dilemma), or two lines of reasoning that lead to the same unpleasant conclusion. ... Look up Dilemma in Wiktionary, the free dictionary For the Nelly song, see Dilemma (song). ...

On occasion, writers use the term "Hobbesian choice" instead of "Hobson's choice", not confusing philosopher Thomas Hobbes for Thomas Hobson, but referring to a specific Hobson's choice offered by Hobbes. The philosopher's famous choice is of an armed robber's "your money or your life", with the serious claim that the person making the choice is fully free to choose either option. Hobbes redirects here. ... Folk image of a mounted highwayman Highwayman was a term used particularly in Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries to describe robbers who targeted people traveling by stagecoach and other modes of transport along public highways. ...

In American Law

Then-Associate Justice William H. Rehnquist of the US Supreme Court used the term in his dissenting opinion in City of Philadelphia v. New Jersey, 437 U.S. 617 (1978), and in citing a lower court ruling in his majority opinion in Upjohn Co. v. United States, 449 U.S. 383 (1981). Scotus may refer to: Latin for Scot as in: Medieval philosopher and theologian Duns Scotus 9th-century Irish theologian, philosopher, and poet, Johannes Scotus Eriugena Supreme Court of the United States Category: ... William H. Rehnquist has served as the Chief Justice of the United States since 1986. ... The Supreme Court of the United States (sometimes colloquially referred to by the acronym SCOTUS[1]) is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. ... In this 1978 case, the Supreme Court invalidated a 1973 New Jersey law that prohibited most solid or liquid waste which originated or was collected outside the territorial limits of this state from being imported across its borders. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Justice White, in the case of Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919 (1983), used the term in his dissent. In using it, he was arguing that denying the House of Representatives the power to place veto provisions over the administrative agencies responsible for enacting the laws passed would leave the House with the Hobson's choice of either refraining from delegating the necessary authority, or abdicating its law-making function to the executive branch and independent agencies. Byron Raymond White (June 8, 1917 – April 15, 2002) won fame both as a football running back and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. ... Holding Congress may not promulgate a statute granting to itself a legislative veto over actions of the executive branch consistent with the bicameralism principle and Presentment Clause of the United States Constitution. ...

Justice Souter, in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, 536 U.S. 639 (2002), used the term in his dissent, arguing that families with school vouchers were presented with a Hobson's choice of applying their voucher toward the tuition of any school, secular or religious, regardless of the fact that 82% of all private schools in the Cleveland City School District were parochial schools. David Hackett Souter (born September 17, 1939) has been a US Supreme Court Associate Justice since 1990. ... Holding The program does not offend the Establishment Clause. ...

Justice Scalia also used the term in a foot note to Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004) to refer to a choice between invoking the marital privilege and confronting one's spouse, quoting the lower court. Justice Antonin Scalia Justice Antonin Scalia (born March 11, 1936) has been a US Supreme Court Associate Justice since 1986. ... Holding The use at trial of out of court statements made to police by an unavailable witness violated a criminal defendants Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses against him. ... The spousal privilege, also known as the marital communication privilege or marital privilege, is a form of privileged communication protecting the contents of communications between husband and wife. ...

The Maryland Court of Appeals used the term and explained its origins as applied to a jury's decision-making ability when a prosecutor's unwillingness to pursue a lesser-included offense (e.g. second-degree murder or manslaughter), requiring a jury to convict a defendant of the greater crime (e.g. first-degree murder) or nothing at all. See Hook v. State, 315 Md. 25, 28 (1989). The seven judges of the Maryland Court of Appeals in their crimson robes. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Murder is both a legal and a moral term, that are not always coincident. ... Murder is both a legal and a moral term, that are not always coincident. ...

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals used the term in describing the dilemma facing a creditor between complying with applicable North Carolina law requiring notice of intent to claim attorneys fees, and the prohibition of the automatic stay of the Bankruptcy Code against taking any action against a debtor. In Re: Shangra-La, Inc., 167 F.3d 843, 851; 1999 U.S. App. LEXIS 594; Bankr. L. Rep. (CCH) P77,879; 33 Bankr. Ct. Dec. 999 (4th Cir. 1999). The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts: District of Maryland Eastern District of North Carolina Middle District of North Carolina Western District of North Carolina District of South...

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals also used the term to describe a dilemma where a later-served defendant in a multiple defendant lawsuit may have to decide between foregoing their right to remove to federal court or hurriedly prepare their case and face Rule 11 sanctions. McKinney v. Bd. of Trustees of Md. Community College, 955 F.2d 924, 928 (4th Cir. 1992). The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts: District of Maryland Eastern District of North Carolina Middle District of North Carolina Western District of North Carolina District of South... The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) govern civil procedure in the United States district courts, or more simply, court procedures for civil suits. ...

The California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, used the term in 1983 to describe the situation in which a university found itself unable to comply with a provision of the Cal. Government Code due to the likelihood that to do so would be in violation of Federal Law. See: Regents of University of California v. Public Employment Relations Bd. (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 1037, 189 Cal.Rptr. 298. Court of Appeals is the title of certain appellate courts in various jurisdictions. ...

Also in EEOC v. Lockheed, 444 F.Supp.2d 414 (2006) in reference to a choice between withdrawing an EEOC charge or forfeiting severance benefits.

In media

Hobson's Choice is a play by Harold Brighouse, the title coming from the expression. The play was first produced in America, the first English production being on June 22 1916 in London. The story is set in Salford in 1880. For other uses, see Hobsons choice (disambiguation). ... Harold Brighouse (1882 - 1958) was an English dramatist and theatre critic. ... For other uses, see Salford (disambiguation). ...

The editors of The New American use the term in a way which implies fraud or deceit as an essential element in a Hobson's choice; but their usage is nothing more than the choice between two nothings noted above. This article is about the telling of falsehoods. ...

The lead character of Early Edition received tomorrow's newspaper today and would try to avert disasters reported therein. He was named Gary Hobson, a reference to this aphorism. Early Edition is a television series on CBS that ran from September 28, 1996 to May 27, 2000. ...

In the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett, the most successful stable owner in the city-state of Ankh-Morpork is named Hobson. Also, Lord Vetinari makes use of a Hobson's Choice scenario at both the beginning and end of the book Going Postal. This article is about the novels. ... Terence David John Pratchett, OBE (born 28 April 1948) is a British fantasy and science fiction author, best known for his Discworld series. ... Ankh-Morpork is a fictional city-state which prominently features in Terry Pratchetts Discworld series of fantasy novels. ... Lord Havelock Vetinari is the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, the head of the fictional city state of Ankh-Morpork in Terry Pratchetts Discworld series. ... This article is about the violent social phenomenon. ...

The author Robert A. Heinlein often places his characters in situations where the protagonist is offered a Hobson's choice between a morally objectionable action and criminal though morally proper actions. Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was one of the most popular, influential, and controversial authors of hard science fiction. ...

In many console RPGs, the player is given a Yes or No choice, but if they were to select No, the question is simply restated until Yes is chosen. A notable instance is in Dragon Quest I, and often occurs in the Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Suikoden series. Dragon Quest I, the first game in the Dragon Quest series, was developed by Enix (now Square Enix) and released in 1986 in Japan for the MSX and the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom). The game was localized for North American release in 1989, but the title was changed to Dragon... Legend of Zelda may refer to: The Legend of Zelda, the 1987 Nintendo Entertainment System best seller, and the first game in a very popular, influential video game franchise. ... The official Pokémon logo. ... Suikoden ) is a Japanese console role-playing game series created by Konami. ...

In The Grim Grotto the Baudelaires and Fiona cannot get out of a room due to a poisonous fungus (the Medusoid Mycelium) growing in the doorway. They refer to it as a Hobson's choice. They also encounter another Hobson's choice when they have to choose between staying trapped and letting Sunny die or allowing the Hook-Handed Man to join their team and set them free. The Grim Grotto is the eleventh novel in the book series A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. ... In Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events, Medusoid Mycelium is a deadly mushroom that grows in the Gorgonian Grotto, serving as major plot devices in the books The Grim Grotto and The End. ...

In the 1980s, there existed a restaurant popular with students in Cambridge, England. Its name was Hobson's Choice. The menu was: Dish of the Day. This article is about Cambridge, England; see also other places called Cambridge. ...

In 1847, it appeared as follows in Ch. XXIII, of The Crater: Or, Vulcan's Peak, a Tale of the Pacific, by James Fenimore Cooper. (The quotation is from the 1863 Edition, scanned by Project Gutenberg). "Several other marriages took place, the scarcity of subjects making it somewhat hazardous to delay: when Hobson's choice is placed before one, deliberation is of no great use." Cooper portrait by John Wesley Jarvis, 1822 James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. ... Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to digitize, archive and distribute cultural works. ...

In movies

In 1954, David Lean directed a film named Hobson's Choice, starring Charles Laughton and John Mills, a winner of the BAFTA award. Hobsons Choice is a 1954 film directed by David Lean, based on the play of the same name by Harold Brighouse. ...

In business

Henry Ford was said to have sold the Ford Model T with the famous Hobson's choice of "... any colour ... so long as it is black".^[1] In reality, the Model T was available in a modest palette of colors, but the rapid production required quick-drying paint, which from 1915-25 was available in only one color—black. Henry Ford (1919) Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. ... The Ford Model T (colloquially known as the Tin Lizzie and the Flivver) was an automobile produced by Henry Fords Ford Motor Company from 1908 through 1927. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A contemporary example of Hobson's choice is the online store Woot! which offers one item for sale, which changes daily. Woot is an Internet retailer based in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, Texas. ...

References

See also

• Dilemma
• Morton's Fork
• Catch-22
• Sophie's Choice
• Paradoxes
• Zugzwang