HOBO

hobo, migrant worker

(noun) a worker who moves around and works temporarily in different places

tramp, hobo, bum

(noun) a vagrant; “a homeless tramp”; “he tried to help the really down-and-out bums”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

hobo (plural hobos or hoboes)

(North America) A wandering homeless person, especially (historical) one illegally travelling by rail or (pejorative) a penniless, unemployed bum.

(North America) Any migratory laborer, whether homeless or not.

A kind of large handbag.

Usage notes

• Often used attributively, as if an adjective. For example, "hobo stew", "he was leading a hobo life."

• Although informal usage considers hobo synonymous with bum, self-proclaimed hobos sometimes distinguish themselves as migrant workers rather than unemployed bums.

Synonyms

• See also vagabond

Verb

hobo (third-person singular simple present hobos, present participle hoboing, simple past and past participle hoboed)

(intransitive, perhaps pejorative) To be a hobo, tramp, bum etc.

Anagrams

• Boho, boho

Source: Wiktionary

Ho"bo, n.; pl. Hobos or Hoboes (#). [Of uncertain origin.]

Definition: A professional tramp; one who spends his life traveling from place to place, esp. by stealing rides on trains, and begging for a living. [U. S.] -- Ho"bo*ism (#), n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition