Hobos: meaning, definitions and examples

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hobos

[ˈhoʊboʊz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

homeless people

Hobos are homeless individuals who travel from place to place in search of work or handouts. They are often associated with the Great Depression era in the United States.

Synonyms

bums, tramps, vagrants.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hobos	Typically used to describe individuals who travel around to find work, especially in rural areas. The term has historical roots from the Great Depression era. During the Great Depression, many hobos traveled the countryside looking for any kind of work. The book tells the story of hobos who journeyed from town to town by hopping on freight trains.
tramps	Refers to individuals who wander from place to place without a permanent home or job, often on foot. It can also have a slightly negative connotation. The old tramp wandered into town seeking shelter for the night. In classic literature, tramps are often portrayed as wandering souls with no ties or responsibilities.
vagrants	A more formal term often used in legal or official contexts to describe individuals who have no fixed home and live by begging. It can have a somewhat sterile or bureaucratic tone. The city enacted new laws to address the issue of vagrants in public spaces. Many vagrants struggle to find resources to improve their living conditions.
bums	Often used negatively to describe individuals who are perceived as lazy and unwilling to work, leading a lifestyle dependent on others for survival. He's been living like a bum, lounging around all day without making any effort to find a job. Some people unfairly call those struggling with homelessness 'bums'.

Examples of usage

A group of hobos gathered around the fire to stay warm.
The old man living in the park was considered a hobo by the local community.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

slang

In slang, 'hobos' can refer to a sandwich made by putting various ingredients between two slices of bread.

Synonyms

grinder, hero, submarine sandwich.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hobos	This term is used to describe homeless people, especially those who travel from place to place, often used in a historical context or when talking about the early 20th century. It has a negative connotation and is considered outdated and disrespectful. During the Great Depression, many hobos traveled across the country in search of work.
submarine sandwich	This is a general term for a long sandwich with a variety of fillings, similar to a grinder or hero, and is widely recognized across the United States. For the party, we ordered a giant submarine sandwich to share with everyone.
hero	Refers to a large sandwich, similar to a sub or hoagie, filled with various ingredients. The term 'hero' is commonly used in New York City and its surrounding areas. She bought an Italian hero from the corner market for the picnic.
grinder	Commonly refers to a long sandwich made with a crusty roll and filled with meats, cheeses, and other ingredients. The term 'grinder' is mostly used in the New England area of the United States. I ordered a meatball grinder for lunch from the local deli.

Examples of usage

I'll have the hobo sandwich with extra pickles, please.
The deli down the street makes the best hobo in town.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term 'hobo' originated in the late 1800s in the United States, likely derived from the way travelers would greet each other (e.g., 'Hoe, boy!')
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many people became hobos, looking for jobs and a better life due to economic hardships.
The hobo culture developed its own symbols, which were used to communicate information about safe places or available jobs.

Sociological Insights

Hobos often lived by a code that emphasized mutual support among those in similar situations, helping each other out.
Many hobos traveled not just for work but also for the freedom of the open road, resisting conventional living.
There were distinct subgroups of hobos, such as 'riders' who traveled exclusively by freight trains and 'townies' who lived in particular towns.

Arts and Literature

Hobos have been depicted in various forms of American art and literature, often representing themes of freedom, community, and hardship.
In the early 20th century, musicians began to write songs about hobos, portraying their stories and struggles, leading to the folk music movement.
The famous American author Jack Kerouac included hobo themes in his works, reflecting the wanderlust and search for meaning during the Beat Generation.

Pop Culture

Hobos are a popular subject in cartoons and children's stories, often depicted as friendly drifters with a love for adventure.
In the classic Disney film 'Dumbo', the titular character meets a friendly hobo who introduces him to the joys of life outside the circus.
The image of a hobo often includes a bindle (a stick with a bundle of belongings tied to it), a symbol of travel and simplicity.

Modern Context

Today, the term 'hobo' can sometimes be confused with 'homeless' or 'drifter', though historically, it referred specifically to people traveling for work.
Social services and organizations today often help individuals who fall into hobo-like lifestyles by providing job training and housing support.
Digital nomadism has emerged as a modern parallel to the hobo lifestyle, where people travel frequently while working remotely.

Translations

Translations of the word "hobos" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mendigos

🇮🇳 भिखारी

🇩🇪 Obdachlose

🇮🇩 gelandangan

🇺🇦 безхатченки

🇵🇱 bezdomni

🇯🇵 ホームレス

🇫🇷 sans-abri

🇪🇸 vagabundos

🇹🇷 evsizler

🇰🇷 노숙자

🇸🇦 متشردين

🇨🇿 bezdomovci

🇸🇰 bezdomovci

🇨🇳 流浪者

🇸🇮 brezdomci

🇮🇸 heimilislausir

🇰🇿 қаңғыбастар

🇬🇪 უსახლკაროები

🇦🇿 evsizlər

🇲🇽 vagabundos

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,727, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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38724 marginalise
38725 liturgically
38726 stade
38727 hobos
38728 cavorted
38729 hothead
38730 deboned
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