Vagrant vs. Hobo: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
A "vagrant" refers to a person without a settled home, often wandering, while a "hobo" is specifically a migratory worker or homeless wanderer, historically associated with train-hopping.
Key Differences
"Vagrant" is a term used to describe a person without a fixed residence who wanders from place to place. It implies someone without a steady home or employment, and historically, it has often carried a negative connotation. This could be due to laws in various places that criminalized vagrancy. Vagrants are not always associated with any specific method of travel, and they can be found in urban or rural areas. The word "vagrant" focuses more on the state of homelessness and the act of wandering.
On the other hand, the term "hobo" is deeply rooted in American history. A hobo is typically thought of as a migratory worker or a homeless wanderer. What sets hobos apart is that historically, they often traveled by freighthopping on trains. They moved in search of work and were part of a unique subculture with its own set of norms and values. The term "hobo" became especially prevalent during the Great Depression when many people were out of work and traveled in search of employment.
It's important to note that while all hobos can be considered vagrants, not all vagrants are hobos. A "hobo" is a subset within the broader category of vagrants. Hobos, by definition, had a particular way of life and a certain culture associated with their wanderings, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Although both "vagrant" and "hobo" refer to people without permanent homes, they differ in their historical and cultural connotations. "Vagrant" has a broader meaning encompassing anyone who wanders without a fixed home, while "hobo" is more specific, pointing to a unique way of life, especially as related to train travel and seeking work.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Person without a settled home
Migratory worker or wanderer
ADVERTISEMENT
Associated Travel
General wandering
Historically train-hopping
Cultural Context
Broadly homeless or wandering
Specific to a subculture in American history
Relation to Work
Not necessarily looking for work
Often seeking employment
Historical Period of Note
Throughout history
Especially during the Great Depression
Vagrant and Hobo Definitions
Vagrant
Someone who is often on the move and lacks stability.
He lived a vagrant lifestyle, never settling in one place.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hobo
Someone associated with a unique American subculture of train-hoppers.
The hobo culture had its own symbols and codes.
Vagrant
A person without a settled home or regular work.
The vagrant often slept under the city bridge.
Hobo
A migratory worker, especially one who rides freight trains.
The hobo jumped onto a moving train to head west.
Vagrant
A wanderer who does not have a home.
Vagrants roamed the streets after the war.
Hobo
A person known for traveling and living a free-spirited life.
The old hobo had many tales of his adventures on the rails.
Vagrant
A person who is homeless and jobless.
The town had issues addressing its vagrant population.
Hobo
A migrant worker.
Vagrant
An individual who roams or drifts with no set course.
As a vagrant, he found freedom in his movements.
Hobo
A wanderer with no permanent home or employment.
He became a hobo after losing his job in the city.
Vagrant
One who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or a means of livelihood.
Hobo
One who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or a means of livelihood.
Vagrant
(Archaic) A wanderer; a rover.
Hobo
Also hobo bag A large, crescent-shaped handbag with a single shoulder strap and usually a zippered top.
Vagrant
One who lives on the streets or constitutes a public nuisance.
Hobo
To live or wander like a vagrant.
Vagrant
An animal occurring beyond its normal range; an accidental.
Hobo
(North America) A wandering homeless person, especially (historical) one illegally travelling by rail or (pejorative) a penniless, unemployed bum.
Vagrant
Wandering from place to place and lacking any means of support.
Hobo
(North America) Any migratory laborer, whether homeless or not.
Vagrant
Living on the streets or constituting a public nuisance.
Hobo
A kind of large handbag.
Vagrant
Inconstant or capricious; wayward
"She was resolved to win my vagrant fancy" (Frank Harris).
Hobo
To be a hobo, tramp, bum etc.
Joe idly hoboed through half the country till he realized hoboing never gets you anywhere in life.
Vagrant
Moving in a random fashion; having no fixed direction or pattern
Vagrant ice floes.
A vagrant aroma.
Hobo
A professional tramp; one who spends his life traveling from place to place, esp. by stealing rides on trains, and begging for a living.
Vagrant
Being beyond its normal range; accidental. Used of animals.
Hobo
A disreputable vagrant;
A homeless tramp
He tried to help the really down-and-out bums
Vagrant
(dated) A person who wanders from place to place; a nomad, a wanderer.
Hobo
A homeless person who travels in search of work.
During the Depression, many hobos traveled the country.
Vagrant
(specifically) A person without settled employment or habitation who usually supports himself or herself by begging or some dishonest means; a tramp, a vagabond.
Every morning before work, I see that poor vagrant around the neighbourhood begging for food.
Vagrant
Vagrans egista, a widely distributed Asian butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Vagrant
An animal, typically a bird, found outside its species' usual range.
Vagrant
Wandering from place to place, particularly when without any settled employment or habitation.
A vagrant beggar
Vagrant
Of or pertaining to a vagabond or vagrant, or a person fond of wandering.
Vagrant
(figurative) Moving without a certain direction; roving, wandering; also, erratic, unsettled.
Vagrant
Moving without certain direction; wandering; erratic; unsettled.
That beauteous Emma vagrant courses took.
While leading this vagrant and miserable life, Johnson fell in love.
Vagrant
Wandering from place to place without any settled habitation; as, a vagrant beggar.
Vagrant
One who strolls from place to place; one who has no settled habitation; an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an incorrigible rogue; a vagabond.
Vagrants and outlaws shall offend thy view.
Vagrant
A wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
Vagrant
Continually changing especially as from one abode or occupation to another;
A drifting double-dealer
The floating population
Vagrant hippies of the sixties
FAQs
Is "Hobo" an American term?
Yes, it's deeply rooted in American history and culture.
Why are hobos associated with trains?
Historically, many hobos traveled by hopping onto freight trains.
Is "vagrant" a negative term?
It can carry a negative connotation in some contexts.
Was there a "hobo code"?
Yes, hobos had symbols and codes to communicate with each other.
Are vagrancy laws about hobos?
They target vagrants broadly, which includes but isn't limited to hobos.
Do both terms refer to homeless individuals?
Yes, but a hobo often traveled in search of work.
What caused the rise of the hobo culture?
Economic downturns, especially the Great Depression, played a significant role.
Are "Vagrant" and "Hobo" synonyms?
They overlap, but "hobo" has specific cultural and historical connotations.
Were vagrants always unemployed?
Not necessarily, but they often lacked steady employment.
How are vagrants perceived today?
Perceptions vary, but homelessness is often seen as a socio-economic issue.
Do movies or books feature hobos?
Yes, many works, like "Sullivan's Travels," depict or reference hobos.
Are there still hobos today?
The classic hobo lifestyle has waned, but some still identify with the culture.
Is "vagrant" a universal term?
The concept exists worldwide, but cultural understanding varies.
How did hobos and vagrants survive?
Through odd jobs, begging, community support, and sometimes by forming communities.
Were there hobo gatherings?
Yes, the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa, is one example.
Are vagrants always on the move?
Many wander, but some might stay in one place for extended periods.
Can "vagrant" refer to animals?
In biology, "vagrant" can describe animals found outside their usual range.
Were there famous hobos?
Yes, some, like Woody Guthrie, documented the hobo lifestyle.
Do hobos always work?
Many sought work, but not all found it.
Is "hobo" a derogatory term?
Historically, it could be neutral or negative, depending on context.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
