Generally speaking, a person who engages in an activity solely for fun is called an amateur (or hobbyist), as opposed to a professional who engages in an activity for reward. An amateur may be as skilled as a professional, the principle difference being that a professional receives compensation while an amateur does not.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Development into other ventures
3 Types
3.1 Collecting
3.2 Outdoor recreation
3.3 Performing arts
3.4 Creative hobbies
3.5 Scale modeling/dioramas
3.6 Cooking
3.7 Gardening
3.7.1 Indoor gardening
3.7.2 Water gardening
3.7.3 Container gardening
3.8 Reading
3.9 Sports
4 See also
5 References
Etymology[edit source]
In the 13th century, the term "hobyn" had the meaning of "small horse or pony". The term "hobbyhorse" was documented in a 1557 payment confirmation for a "Hobbyhorse" from Reading, England.[1] The item, originally called a "Tourney Horse", was made of a wooden or basketwork frame with an artificial tail and head. Designed to mimic a real horse, the hobbyhorse was used for religious activities and civic occasions. By 1816 the derivative, "hobby", was introduced into the vocabulary of an unknown number of English people.[2] Over the course of subsequent centuries, the term came to mean "recreational" or "leisurely pursuit".
Hobbies are practiced primarily for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. In the 17th century, the term was used in a pejorative sense due to the childish origins of the term. Referring to the origin of the word; engaging in one's hobby equated to the horse outfit from the term's formulation