0
Mr. Tom Posted 6 years ago
Vocabulary

Use of 'hobo'

Hi

I just came across the word 'hobo' in a novel written by an Indian. Could you please tell me how often you (as a native speaker) use or hear it in everyday life?

Thanks,

Tom

  

Top answer

I've never seen one. The hobo is an icon now, but once there were a lot of them. There used to be an entire culture surrounding such drifters, who rode the rails and mooched.

— Anonymous

  • I've never seen one.
  • The hobo is an icon now, but once there were a lot of them.
  • There used to be an entire culture surrounding such drifters, who rode the rails and mooched.
  • They had their own secret code they would scratch on a dwelling to advise their fellows of the welcome (or not) they would get there.
  • Now it's only a Halloween costume, if that—raggedy clothes, flappy shoes, a squashed hat and a polka-dot bindle.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0

I've never seen one. The hobo is an icon now, but once there were a lot of them. There used to be an entire culture surrounding such drifters, who rode the rails and mooched. They had their own secret code they would scratch on a dwelling to advise their fellows of the welcome (or not) they would get there. Now it's only a Halloween costume, if that—raggedy clothes, flappy shoes, a squashed ha

0
0
Mr. TomCould you please tell me how often you (as a native speaker) use or hear it in everyday life?

Not at all in the UK. It's only familiar from American television.

0
0
Mr. Tom

Hi

I just came across the word 'hobo' in a novel written by an Indian. Could you please tell me how often you (as a native speaker) use or hear it in everyday life?

Thanks,

Tom

Once every thirty years.

CJ

0

Related Questions