What is the word for the stick & handkerchief carried over a vagrant's shoulder?

[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to? I can google ... same vagabond ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called? Do these two things they tote about have names?[/nq]
Good question. But I'm afraid the stick is just a stick, and the handkerchief/kerchief/bandana/piece of cloth has no special name, either.

Mike.

[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to? I can google ... ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called? Do these two things they tote about have names? Thanks, Nancy[/nq]
I think it's called a 'pike'.

[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to? I can google 'till the cows come home but I haven't found what that stick, held over one shoulder, is actually called?[/nq]
I think it's called a 'pike'.
Yup. See #3 below.
[nq:1]What about the little handkerchief that the same vagabond ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called?[/nq]

[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to? I can google ... ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called? Do these two things they tote about have names? Thanks, Nancy[/nq]
Together, the stick and bundle make a "bindlestiff". I'm not sure whether the component parts have names beyond "stick" and "bundle"

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[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to? I can google ... same vagabond ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called? Do these two things they tote about have names?[/nq]
A bundle containing his clothes and possessions is called a 'bindle', whence the term 'bindlestiff' for a tramp who carries such a bundle.
Brian

In our last episode,
,
the lovely and talented Nancy Pi Squared
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to?[/nq]
bindle, hence, bindle-stiff for hobo.
[nq:1]I can google 'till the cows come home but I haven't found what that stick, held over one shoulder, is ... ties to the stick? What is that

[nq:1]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the red & white polka dot handkerchief to? I can google ... actually called? What about the little handkerchief that the same vagabond ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called?[/nq]
For US hobo terminology, see "bindle", "bindle stick", "bindle stiff" at

[nq:2]What is the stick called that a vagrant ties the ... vagabond ties to the stick? What is that handkerchief called?[/nq]
[nq:1]For US hobo terminology, see "bindle", "bindle stick", "bindle stiff" at http://www.hobonickels.org/alpert04.htm[/nq]
I wish I'd held my peace now! "Bindle" and relatives are

Over the course of a day it's easier to bear the weight on top of the shoulder than by carrying it in one's hand. Presumably a knapsack (rucksack, backpack) wasn't available or affordable.

As we all stood and listened, UC sung the following words:

This is incredible even for you. Your cited dictionary entry does not at any point include the definition you claim it does!

It is also considered appropriate to state your source when quoting material written by others. Especially when it's copyrighted.

A. Gwilliam
To e-mail me, replace "bottomless pit" with