Hocking vs. Hawking – Which is Correct?

“Hocking” and “hawking” are both correct English words, but they possess distinctly different meanings and applications. “Hawking” most commonly refers to selling goods, often by calling them out publicly, or to clearing one’s throat noisily. “Hocking,” on the other hand, primarily means pawning an item or, less frequently, refers to cutting the hock (hind leg joint) of an animal. Understanding the specific context is crucial for choosing the appropriate term.

Hocking or Hawking – Which is Correct?

Both “hocking” and “hawking” are grammatically correct and valid words in American English. The confusion between them often arises from their similar sound, leading people to mistakenly use one when they intend the other. The key to distinguishing them lies in their very different core meanings. “Hawking” is primarily associated with selling things or making a throat sound, while “hocking” relates to pawning possessions.

This phenomenon of easily confused terms is also evident when considering the nuances between hopping and hoping.

A simple “swap test” can help: If you’re talking about selling goods, think “peddling your wares”—use hawking. If you’re talking about giving something as collateral for a loan, think “putting it in a pawn shop”—use hocking.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Hocking	Verb (present participle)	Pawning an item; giving something as security for a loan. (Less commonly: cutting the hock of an animal.)	She considered hocking her jewelry to pay the rent.
Hawking	Verb (present participle)	Selling goods, often loudly or aggressively; clearing one’s throat noisily; hunting with a hawk.	The vendor was hawking fresh produce at the market.

How to Use Hocking

The verb “hocking” primarily refers to the act of pawning something, meaning to leave an item with a pawnbroker as security for a loan. If the loan is not repaid within a specified time, the item can be sold by the pawnbroker. This usage often carries a tone of financial desperation or necessity. A less common, and more literal, meaning involves cutting the hock (the joint on the hind leg of an animal).

Example 1: After losing his job, he contemplated hocking his watch to buy groceries.

Example 2: The antique dealer refused to consider hocking the rare vase, preferring to sell it outright.

Example 3: The rancher was careful not to damage the cattle’s legs when hocking the animal for medical treatment.

What are the different forms of Hocking?

“Hocking” is the present participle form of the verb “to hock.” Its other forms include:

• Base form: hock (e.g., “I will hock my guitar.”)
• Past tense: hocked (e.g., “He hocked his ring last week.”)
• Past participle: hocked (e.g., “The item had been hocked for months.”)
• Third-person singular present: hocks (e.g., “She hocks her valuables only in emergencies.”)
• Noun: hock (refers to the item pawned, or the joint itself).

Etymology of the word Hocking

The verb “hock” (to pawn) is believed to have originated in the late 17th century, possibly from Dutch “hok,” meaning a pen or stall, or from a slang term for a pawnshop. Another theory suggests it comes from the Old English word “hoh,” referring to the heel or hock of an animal, which then evolved into a term for a pledge or security. The anatomical sense of “hock” for an animal’s joint dates back to Old English.

How to Use Hawking

The verb “hawking” has a few distinct meanings. Most commonly, it refers to the act of selling goods, often by carrying them around and calling out their availability, particularly in public places like streets or markets. It can imply an active, sometimes aggressive, form of salesmanship. Another common usage is to describe the action of clearing one’s throat noisily, often accompanied by spitting. A less frequent, but historically significant, meaning is hunting with trained hawks, known as falconry.

Example 1: The street vendor spent his day hawking newspapers on the bustling corner.

Example 2: She kept hawking to clear her throat, a nervous habit she couldn’t shake.

Example 3: In medieval times, nobles often enjoyed the sport of hawking with their falcons.

What are the different forms of Hawking?

“Hawking” is the present participle form of the verb “to hawk.” Its other forms include:

• Base form: hawk (e.g., “They hawk their handmade crafts.”)
• Past tense: hawked (e.g., “He hawked his wares all morning.”)
• Past participle: hawked (e.g., “The tickets had been hawked online for weeks.”)
• Third-person singular present: hawks (e.g., “She hawks her paintings at art fairs.”)
• Noun: hawk (refers to the bird, or a person who sells goods).

Etymology of the word Hawking

The etymology of “hawk” varies depending on its meaning. The sense of “to sell goods” comes from Middle English “hauken,” which meant “to cry out wares,” dating back to the late 14th century. The meaning related to clearing the throat is imitative, mimicking the sound made. The sense of hunting with a hawk (the bird) comes from the Old English word “hafoc,” referring to the bird of prey itself, with the verb “to hawk” in this context emerging later.

Related Concepts

The confusion between “hocking” and “hawking” highlights the importance of understanding homophones and near-homophones in English. Homophones are words that sound exactly alike but have different meanings and often different spellings (e.g., “to,” “too,” “two”). Near-homophones, like “hocking” and “hawking,” have very similar pronunciations, which can easily lead to auditory confusion and subsequent spelling or usage errors. Recognizing these phonetic similarities helps writers and speakers pay closer attention to context and specific word choice, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communication.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In a classic scene, a street vendor loudly proclaims, “Fresh pretzels! Get your warm pretzels here!” effectively hawking his goods to passersby.
• “With no other options, she considered hocking her grandmother’s antique locket, a last resort to keep her small business afloat.”
• The medieval novel described a lord’s elaborate hunting party, where trained falcons were released, skillfully hawking for game.
• “He kept hawking and clearing his throat, a nervous habit that intensified whenever he had to speak in public.”
• The financial crisis forced many families into difficult situations, some even hocking precious heirlooms to cover basic living expenses.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The energetic salesman was ______ his new line of gadgets at the tech convention.
2. To cover the unexpected medical bill, she thought about ______ her vintage guitar.
3. He couldn’t stop ______ to clear the frog from his throat before his speech.
4. The market district was alive with vendors ______ everything from spices to handmade jewelry.
5. Rather than ______ his camera, he managed to borrow money from a friend.

Answer Key

1. hawking
2. hocking
3. hawking
4. hawking
5. hocking

Hocking Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Pawning	Depositing an item as security for money borrowed.
Pledging	Committing by a solemn promise; offering as security.
Mortgaging	Conveying property to a creditor as security for a loan.
Collateralizing	Using an asset as collateral for a loan.

Hawking Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Peddling	Selling goods, typically door-to-door or in the street.
Vending	Selling (especially smaller articles) as a street vendor.
Selling	Exchanging something for money; making available for purchase.
Promoting	Supporting or actively encouraging; publicizing a product.
Clearing throat	Making a sound to remove mucus or relieve an irritation in the throat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “hocking” ever mean selling something?
No, “hocking” specifically means pawning an item (using it as collateral for a loan), not outright selling it. If you sell something, you are “hawking” or “vending” it, not “hocking” it.

Question 2: Is “hawking” always about selling?
While commonly used for selling, “hawking” also refers to clearing one’s throat noisily, or, in a historical context, hunting with trained hawks (falconry). The meaning depends entirely on the context of the sentence.

Question 3: How can I remember the difference between hocking and hawking?
Think of “hocking” as related to “pawnshop” – both have a “P” sound (though not phonetically the same, it’s a useful mnemonic for meaning). Think of “hawking” as related to “calling out wares” or “hawk a loogie” – both involve vocal actions. The primary meanings are very distinct, so focus on the action described.

Conclusion

While “hocking” and “hawking” may sound similar, they represent entirely different actions and concepts in the English language. “Hocking” is about pawning an item for a loan, often implying a difficult financial situation. “Hawking” refers to the active selling of goods, making a distinctive throat sound, or the sport of falconry. Distinguishing between these two terms is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Mistaking one for the other can lead to misunderstandings or convey an unintended meaning.

Pro Tip: Always consider the context. If you’re discussing commerce or vocalization, “hawking” is likely the word you need. If you’re referring to securing a loan with personal property, “hocking” is the correct choice. Precise language is a hallmark of professional communication.