TagHobo

Bum Rush

Chris from Castro, New York, is curious about bum rush or bum’s rush, which refers to forcibly removing someone from an establishment. In 1987, Public Enemy’s debut album Yo! Bum Rush the Show popularized the use of bum rush to mean something...

Changing Meanings of Gay

How did the word gay come to mean both “lighthearted” and “homosexual”? In the late 1800s, the term gaycat was used in hobo culture to refer to an inexperienced hobo who might take on an older mentor for help, often another male. Over time, there...

hobo pack

hobo pack  n.— «After the coals had heated up, it was time to let the “hobo pack,” containing chicken and potatoes, cook for about 45 minutes. Even though some of the chicken got black from being on top of the coals, it tasted delicious.» —“Voice in...