# Hodges

/ˈhɑdʒɪz/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a name for a person who works on a farm or does physical work. It is an old-fashioned word that you might see in history books or old stories.

For teachers: a generic or stereotypical name for a farm labourer or rustic worker. Often used historically in British English to represent the typical agricultural labourer.

## Examples

- The old stories often featured a character named Hodges the farmer.
- In nineteenth-century political cartoons, Hodges was frequently used to represent the voice of the rural working class.
- The author uses the figure of Hodges not as a specific individual, but as a literary archetype to explore the hardships faced by the peasantry during the industrial revolution.

## Usage notes

- When used as a common noun for a labourer, it is often capitalised as it originates from a proper name.

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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.