Homeless persons who travel have been termed vagrants in the past; of those, persons looking for work are hobos, whereas those who do not are tramps. All three of these terms, however, generally have a derogatory connotation today.
While “bum” is a derogatory term for someone without a fixed residence and regular employment, terms like “hobo” and “tramp” conjure up nostalgia that belies the difficulty in their wandering lifestyles.
What's the politically correct way to say homeless person?
In recent years advocates and activists have begun to use the word unhoused or houseless to describe individuals without a physical address. However, government agencies and research institutions continue to use the word homeless when reporting on people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
“I said, 'They're unhoused,'” remembered Graham. “They have a home: Seattle is their home.” OSL has used the word ever since to describe people lacking a fixed abode, feeling that “homeless” had gained discriminatory, ugly connotations. The term caught on.
These will be words that do not encompass homelessness but might be used as part of a "clever" definition of homelessness. Some words that have been suggested that resonate are: insecurity, disadvantaged, (un)domiciled, displaced, deficient, unsettled, challenged.
Be careful when you call a vagrant or homeless person a hobo — although this is exactly what the word means, it is a somewhat offensive term. The end of the nineteenth century brought the start of the word hobo in the Western United States.
Hoboes, tramps, and bums are generally regarded as related, but distinct: a hobo travels and is willing to work; a tramp travels, but avoids work if possible; a bum neither travels nor works.
For example, terms such as “houseless” or “unhoused” are emerging to place the emphasis away from the individual, and toward the bigger problem – a lack of affordable housing, something that is of great concern to 45 percent of people in Canada, as of late 2024 reporting from the Canadian Social Survey.
People experiencing homelessness, unhoused, and homeless all mean the same thing, a person lacking consistent shelter. However, the way you describe this situation matters.
A Boyette is a female hobo, a term that was used during the Great Depression era in the United States to describe a woman who was part of the itinerant worker and traveler community known as “hobos.”
a person, usually without a permanent home, who wanders from place to place; nomad. an idle wanderer without a permanent home or visible means of support; tramp; vagrant. Synonyms: loafer, hobo. a carefree, worthless, or irresponsible person; rogue.
Laws referred to individuals as "vagrants," "vagabonds," "beggars," "common drunkards," and "loiterers," to name a few. Basically, these laws criminalize a person for experiencing poverty, homelessness, or unemployment.
With time, the word became hurtful and offensive. The terms vagrant and tramp sound as if the person has never lived indoors, had no job, no family, as if this is the way of life that suits them.
Public imagination of the hobo left out women which led to the erasure of important events, culture, and experiences. The goal of this exhibit is to share the stories of women hobos, through their perspective, by utilizing photographs, oral histories, publications, and writings.
Hobo functions as a neutral or positive self-descriptor. In general use, it is sometimes used disparagingly, but frequently the term carries positive connotations from its association with an adventurous life that is free of obligation.
According to Bonikowski, in media coverage and literature, words like 'unhoused' and 'unsheltered' are often used with more positive connotations than 'homeless,' such as referring to “unhoused neighbors.” Referring to people “experiencing homelessness” or being unhoused or unsheltered can imply a worldview that sees ...
"Homeless Not Helpless!" •We, the poor and homeless, can and must lead our own stuggle to end poverty! "You Are Only One Paycheck Away From Homelessness!" Homelessness is a class issue. We are homeless because we do not have enough money for a home.
4. Hidden Homelessness. The fourth type of homelessness is referred to as “hidden homelessness.” Individuals who live with others temporarily without a permanent home are considered “hidden homeless,” as it is often most unnoticed.
The term, “hobo” is a lazy Southern contraction for, “hoe boy”. Poor travelers who asked for food in exchange for their labor, hoeing in the field, were hoe boys. There is a cultural proclivity to diminish those less fortunate than oneself .
“I'm sorry, I can't help you right now.” That usually works, and try to say it as directly as possible. It is not to be mean, just to prevent persisting or any leading questions. Don't lie and say you don't have cash or give confused looks, simple and direct honesty is just fine.
Homelessness is classified into two categories: “sheltered” and “unsheltered.” When we think of “homeless” we generally think of “unsheltered homeless” in which the person's primary nighttime residence is a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, camping grounds, bus or ...
