hocking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “hocking” mean?
Attempting to pawn or sell something, often in a persistent or public way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Attempting to pawn or sell something, often in a persistent or public way; also meaning to annoy or pester (chiefly US).
1. (Verb, from 'hawking') The act of selling goods, especially by calling out in public. 2. (Verb, from 'hock') Putting an item in pawn. 3. (Verb, chiefly US, from 'hock') Annoying or bothering someone persistently. 4. (As a proper noun) An Anglicised spelling of a German toponym related to the Hoch family name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'annoy/pester' sense ("Stop hocking me!") is almost exclusively American. The 'hawking' (selling) sense is understood in both but more common historically. The 'pawning' sense is understood in both but slightly more common in American usage.
Connotations
In the 'hawking' sense, it can imply a slightly disreputable or low-status form of selling. The 'pawning' sense implies financial need or distress. The 'annoy' sense is informal and mildly negative.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. In the UK, the 'hawking' sense is the most recognised. In the US, the 'annoy' and 'pawning' senses are more likely encountered than the 'hawking' sense.
Grammar
How to Use “hocking” in a Sentence
[Subject] is hocking [Object] (to someone)[Subject] keeps hocking [Recipient] about [Topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hocking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was hocking antique watches from a suitcase in the alley.
- Before moving abroad, she considered hocking her grandmother's silver.
American English
- My little brother won't stop hocking me for a ride to the mall.
- He's hocking his championship ring to pay the bills.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival use]
American English
- [No standard adjectival use]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear informally to describe aggressive or low-level sales tactics.
Academic
Extremely rare except in historical texts about street vendors.
Everyday
Informal use for pawning items or complaining about someone being annoying.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hocking”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hocking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hocking”
- Using 'hocking' to mean 'hooking'.
- Assuming it always relates to the leg joint (hock).
- Spelling as 'hawking' when the 'annoy' sense is intended.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily used in informal contexts, particularly in its 'pawning' and 'annoying' senses.
'Hocking' (from 'hock') means to pawn or annoy. 'Hawking' (from 'hawk') means to sell goods publicly. They are often confused, and 'hocking' is sometimes used for the selling sense, though 'hawking' is more standard for that meaning.
Rarely. It typically carries neutral or slightly negative connotations related to financial need, low-status selling, or irritation.
No, it is chiefly an American informal usage and may be confusing or unknown to speakers of British English.
Attempting to pawn or sell something, often in a persistent or public way.
Hocking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒk.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑː.kɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'hocking']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOCKey player trying to sell his old jersey at a market stall – he's HOCKing his gear.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS COMMERCE (hawking sense: selling with your voice); ANNOYANCE IS A PHYSICAL NUISANCE (pestering sense).
Practice
Quiz
In American informal English, 'Stop hocking me!' most likely means: