E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hob’s Pound.
To be in Hob’s pound is to be under difficulties, in great embarrassment. Hob is a clownish rustic, and hoberd is a fool or ne’er-do-well. To be in Hob’s pound is to be in the pound of a hob or hoberd—i.e. paying for one’s folly.
