What are hobo codes?
Popularized in the late 1800s and early 1900s, hobo code supposedly consisted of distinctive symbols to communicate vital information. They alerted other transient workers to trouble, such as an aggressive dog or hostile police force, but could also point the way to clean water or a hot meal.
Are hobo symbols still used?
Examples of the hobo code graffiti are still being discovered today, despite the fact that they were generally designed to be temporary and often written in grease pencil or chalk.
What’s the difference between homeless and a hobo?
As a noun hobo is a homeless, usually penniless person, in some way associated with a life along the rails.
Why are hobos called hobos?
“In the old days when most of the boys were working in the agricultural section of the West, they were referred to as just ‘boys. ‘ Then, to distinguish them from other workers, the name of one of their tools, the hoe, was applied to them and they became ‘hoe-boys. ‘ From that it was only one step to ‘hoboes.
How did hobos mark houses?
Three diagonal lines — not a safe place. A square with a slanted roof (signifying a house) with an X through it — the house has already been “burned” or “tricked” by another hobo. Two shovels — work available (shovels, because most hobos performed manual labour).
What is the difference between a hobo and vagabond?
As nouns the difference between vagabond and hobo is that vagabond is a person on a trip of indeterminate destination and/or length of time while hobo is a homeless, usually penniless person, in some way associated with a life along the rails.
What are some hobo symbols?
Other hobo symbols could help hobos identify towns, cities, and households to steer clear from altogether. “Police will lock you up,” “dangerous place,” “home heavily guarded,” and “police are hostile” were all symbols that let hobos know to get out of dodge before they got harmed or arrested.
How did the hobo communicate with each other?
Hobos communicated with one another by carving or drawing symbols on trees, fenceposts, bridges, and even buildings to offer directional guidance to other travelers with warnings of what may or may not lie ahead. What follows are 60 of the most common hobo symbols along with their translations and interpretations.
Why do hobos write on signs?
To cope with the uncertainties of life, hobos developed a system of symbols they’d write with chalk or coal to provide fellow “Knights of the Road” with directions, help, and warnings. Hobo signs, California, c. 1870s.
What does a cat symbolize in hobo signs?
A cat signifies that a kind lady lives here. This symbol possesses a number of different connotations (most notably as the “equals” concept in mathematics), but in the British system of hobo signs it indicates that here you can find a place to sleep for the night. A French hobo sign indicating that this dwelling is wired by an alarm.