The middle piece of a wheel. The word occurs in 1649 (see N.E.D.), but appears first as a dictionary word in Webster, 1828.
1821. Lost, a plated Hoop, from my Chaise Hob.—Advt., Mass. Spy, Oct. 24.
1858.
| The hubs of logs from the “Settler’s ellum,”— | |
| Last of its timber,—they could n’t sell ’em. | |
* * * * * | |
| And the back-crossbar as strong as the fore, | |
| And spring and axle and hub encore. | |
O. W. Holmes, ‘The One-Hoss Shay.’ |
