hob

Hob is a term with multiple meanings in English, referring to a cooking surface, a folklore creature, and a gear-cutting tool, among others. The sense used depends on context and region.

In cooking terminology, a hob refers to the top surface of a cooker where heat is applied for cooking. Hobs may be gas burners, electric heating elements, or ceramic heating surfaces and are commonly described as gas hobs or electric/integrated ceramic hobs. In American English, the equivalent term is usually stovetop or cooktop rather than hob.

In English folklore, a hob is a small household spirit similar to a brownie or goblin. Hobs were traditionally believed to perform chores and help with domestic tasks in exchange for small offerings or kind treatment. They were considered helpful but could become mischievous or troublesome if neglected or angered. The term appears in various regional stories and literary references from medieval to early modern periods and persists in folklore and popular culture.

In mechanical engineering, a hob is a cutting tool used in gear production. A hob is typically a cylindrical tool with cutting teeth that rotates and meshes with a gear blank in a process called hobbing, forming the gear teeth. Hobs come in different forms, including straight, helical, and form types, and are used to manufacture external gears, internal gears, and splines on a wide range of sizes. This use is distinct from the culinary or folkloric senses and reflects a technical application in manufacturing.