Both tramp and bum are terms of derision within the hobo community.

* A hobo is a migratory worker;
* a tramp is a migratory non-worker;
* a bum is a non-migratory non-worker.


Hobo symbols

To cope with the difficulty of hobo life, hobos developed a system of symbols. Hobos would write these symbols with chalk or coal to provide directions, information, and warnings to other hobos. Some signs included "turn right here", "beware of hostile railroad police", "dangerous dog", "food available here", and so on. For instance:

* A cross signifies "angel food," that is, food served to the homeless after a sermon.
* A triangle with hands signifies that the homeowner has a gun.
* Sharp teeth signify a mean dog.
* A square missing its top line signifies it is safe to camp in that location.
* A silk hat and a pile of gold signify wealth.
* A spearhead signifies a warning to defend oneself.
* An open eye means that hobos are unwelcomed in the vicinity
* Two interlocked circles signify handcuffs. (i.e. hobos are hauled off to jail).
* A Caduceus symbol signifies the house has a medical doctor living in it.
* A cat signifies that a kind lady lives here.
* Unsafe Camp: A depression era term depicted in Hobo symbols regarding the amount of danger to vagrants in an area.
* fresh water and campsite: A wavy lign signifing water above a X for a campsite
* not a safe place: three diagonal lines.

Naturally, hobo symbols would vary from place to place around the country.



Hobo lingo

* Accommodation car - The caboose of a train
* Angellina - young inexperienced kid
* Banjo - A small portable frying pan.
* Big House - Prison
* Bindle stick - Collection of belongings wrapped in cloth and tied around a stick
* Bone Noser - A hobo with notable flatulence odors
* Bone polisher - A mean dog
* Bull - A railroad officer
* Cadillac - Canadian National grainer with double porch holes
* Cannonball - A fast train
* Catch the Westbound - to die
* Chuck a dummy - Pretend to faint
* Cover with the moon - Sleep out in the open
* Cow crate - A railroad stock car
* Crums - Lice
* Doggin' it - Traveling by bus
* Easy mark - A hobo sign or mark that identifies a person or place where one can get food and a place to stay overnight
* Honey dipping - Working with a shovel in the sewer
* Hot - A fugitive hobo
* Hot Shot - train with priority frieght, stops rarely, goes faster
* Jungle - An area off a railroad that hobos camp and congregate in
* Knowledge bus - A schoolbus used for shelter
* Moniker - A nickname
* On The Fly - jumping a moving train
* Punk - any young kid
* Road kid - A young hobo who apprentices himself to an older hobo in order to learn the ways of the road
* Rum dum - A drunkard
* Soup bowl- A palce to get soup, bread and drinks
* Snipes - Cigarette butts "sniped" (found in ashtrays or wherever)
* Spear biscuits - Looking for food in garbage cans
* Yegg - A travelling professional thief