Lowest in the “hobo hierarchy.” It is a term of many meanings, but in its most authoritative uses it refers to the lowest of vagrants.īump gums – To talk about nothing worthwhile.īunkhouse – A hobo term for a refrigerator car’s end or ice compartment, which when empty provided a safe place to ride the train.īusting a gut – Your gut is your stomach area. A worthless or dissolute loafer who would rather beg than work for goods or services. Also called flatfoot or gumshoe, but the distinctive railroad terms are cinder dick and ‘bo chaserīum – A non-migratory non-worker.
Many of them do come from Boston or thereabouts.īoxcar art – Hobo inscriptions of their monikers around handholds, and on inside walls of a boxcar.īrakeman – The person who tends brakes on a rail car and assists in the operation of a train.īranch line – A secondary line of a railroad, not the main line.īread line – A line of persons waiting for food to be given out as a charity.īread wagon – A horse drawn bakery cart or wagon.īroad or brod – A woman, generally young and oppoosite of bat or blister, which means an old woman.īuggy – A caboose rarely applied to other cars.īull – Special agent (railroad security person usually driving white American cars and trucks) in around railroad yard charged with security and with catching hoboes. This term dates back to pioneer days when men followed boom camps.īoston bum – One of those superior fellows, a high brow poser. Each railroad has its own book, which must conform to minimum Federal Railroad Administration safety standards.īootlegger – A train that runs over more than one railroad.īoomer – A drifter who went from one railroad job to another, staying but a short time on each job or each road. Also refers to a hospital, or to a medical college where they practice on the bodies of departed hobos.īook of rules – A rule book which governs all facets of railroad activity. Mothers said this rhyme to scare bad children at night that ended, “The bogeyman will get you if you don’t watch out.”īoneyard – Any graveyard. The bogeyman comes in the middle of the night with his sack and steals bad children out of their beds and they are never seen alive again. A term for a pal, “Hey, bo” Originally meant a natural exclamiation intended to surprise or frighten.īogyman or bogeyman – A goblin, bug bear, a hobgoblin. There the doctors and the nurses would force him to drink from a mysterious “black bottle” which would kill them.īlack snake – A solid train of loaded coal cars.īlind baggage (1) – To ride the train out of sight, not to be seen.īo, boes – A slang term used to describe an experienced hobo. The last place a tramp would want to go when he got sick was a hosiptal. It was used to kill the sick and the poor. Oftentimes it is autographed as hobos meet one another during their travels.īitch – A tin-can lamp with a shirt-tail wick.īlack bottle – Deadly poison allegedly given hobos in hospitals. The stick is also used to clear paths through dense brush or for protection. McClintock.īindle – A bedroll that contains all of the hobo’s belongs.īindle stick – A walking stick, used by hobos, sometimes hand carved, and used to carry a bindle. They carry their belongs on the bicycle.īig Rock Candy Mountains – Hobo’s paradise, as described in song by Harry K. Sometimes they put lawn mower motors on the bicyle so they don’t always have to peddle. Don’t assume you can tell the difference.īehind the eight ball – In a difficult position, in a tight spot.īicycle tramp – A tramp who travels by bicycle. Any person who won’t work, and who lives by asking complete strangers for aid, is either lazy, mentally ill, or a saint. Beanery queen is a waitress.īeggar -“Beg” is one of those words which isn’t derived from anything it has always meant exactly what it means. A roll of bedding carried on the back, a bindle.īeanery – A railroad eating house. A mission preaching about the Bread of Life.īack door bumming – To seek food at the back door to limit embarrassment.īalloon – A bedroll. One who takes an interest without trying to reform you.Īngel food – A mission house sermon. See: Banjo.Īngel – A person who gives more than you expect. Too costly now for hobos.Īmerican nomad – A hobo who has been across the nation many times.Īnchor – A pick. “With their eyes open,” if not.Īdventure – The encountering of danger, exciting and deangerious undertakingĪlley – A clear track in a railroad yard.Īlligator bait – Fried or stewed liver. Adam and Eve on a raft – Two fried eggs on toast.
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