lobby English · revision 10456

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1553|origins=la-med lobia}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlɒb.i/ ''(UK)''; /ˈlɑ.bi/, /ˈlɒb.i/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from Medieval Latin lobia, laubia, a covered walk, portico,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from a Germanic source, compare Old High German louba, hall, roof, and German [[m|de|Laube|t=covered way, arbour]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) It is a doublet of [[lodge]], [[loge]] and [[loggia]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A cloister or covered walk in a monastery: 1553 in the OED, the 1550s in Etymonline, 1533 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ After the dissolution of the monasteries the word passed into houses, and a lobby became an antechamber or entrance hall,^(Cresswell 2021) from 1593, in Shakespeare's ''Henry VI, Part 2''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The lobby of the House of Commons, where members met people from outside, is from 1640.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Those who frequent the lobbies to influence legislators are first recorded in 1808 in American English,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) by the 1790s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The verb, to seek to influence legislation, is American from 1826,^(Etymonline) ''lobbyist'' from 1863,^(Barnhart 1988) and a business or interest group in general from 1952.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1553 – a cloister.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1593 – an entrance hall.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1640 – the lobby of the Commons.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1808 – those who lobby.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1826 – to lobby (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1863 – lobbyist.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An entrance hall, foyer or waiting room in a building such as a hotel or theatre.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A hall in a legislative building where members meet the public.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A group trying to influence legislators on behalf of a particular cause.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(British)'' A division lobby, where members go to vote.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To try to influence legislators or officials for or against a cause.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[lobbyer]]

+ * [[lobbyism]]

+ * [[lobbyist]]

+ * [[unlobbied]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lodge]]

+ * [[loge]]

+ * [[loggia]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Lancashire and Yorkshire dialect, a lobby was a narrow passage.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}