# Hodge

/ˈhɑdʒ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hodge
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a name used in the past to talk about a typical English farmer or country worker. It was often used by people from the city to sound superior.

For teachers: a stereotypical name for an English agricultural labourer or rustic. Often carries a patronising or derogatory tone in historical literature.

## Examples

- The old stories often featured a character named Hodge.
- Victorian writers sometimes used the name Hodge to represent the entire class of rural workers.
- While the term Hodge was once a common shorthand for the English peasantry, modern historians critique it for erasing the individual identities of the rural poor.

## Usage notes

- When used as a proper noun, it identifies a specific character; as a common noun, it acts as a generic label for a rustic person.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.