'Vagabond,' 'vagrant,' 'truant,' 'tramp,' 'bum,' and 'hobo' all convey a similar meaning. They have a negative connotation and describe an individual that typically has no job or home.
These words have different meanings influenced by hundreds of years of history and criminal laws. If you want to know the difference between these words and how to use them correctly in modern writing, keep reading!
'Vagabond' originates from the Latin word vagabundus, which translates to wandering or wandering around. However, for centuries people have used 'vagabond' to describe people who float around with no real home.
The term 'vagrant' comes from the Latin word for wander, 'vagari.' For hundreds of years, there have been vagrancy laws that prevented people from wandering around without money or a productive purpose.
'Vagabond' and 'vagrant' both derive from the Latin base word, vagari, and while they may have had a slightly different meaning in the past, many people use them interchangeably today.
'Truant' means someone who avoids responsibility. However, many people use it to describe someone who is late or misses school. After continued truancy, students are often summoned to appear before a truancy court judge.
'Tramp' is another centuries-old word used to describe someone wandering or a drifting person. However, some people call women or men who drift between partners 'tramps.' It can also have the meaning of walking or stomping around.
A 'bum' is someone who uses other people or takes advantage of them instead of doing honest work for what they receive. When someone calls someone a 'bum,' they usually mean that the person uses others.
However, you can also use 'bum' as an adjective to describe something that does not work correctly.
Unlike other words people use to describe homeless people, you can use 'hobo' to describe someone who engages in migratory work.
Vagabond, vagrant, bum, and tramp have similar meanings and are frequently used interchangeably. Generally, someone would use these words to describe an individual that lives off of the charity of others. They are uninterested in it if they can't obtain something through swindling, stealing, or gift.
For example, a 'vagrant' person is typically someone with no job who may be willing to accept a blanket and tent given to them, but who would rather live the challenging life of a drifter instead of seeking the security of a permanent job and home.
A 'truant' is skipping an obligation such as school or work. Truancy does not describe the state of someone's living. A 'truant' child or employee can live anywhere. Although, 'truant' children sometimes come from 'vagrant' families.
In most cases the word 'hobo' can replace 'vagabond,' 'vagrant,' 'tramp,' or 'bum.' However, a 'hobo' can also refer to a migrant worker.
A 'bum' does not necessarily have to be homeless. You could call anyone who takes from others without working for what they receive a 'bum.' Yet, people sometimes use the term 'bum' to describe homeless individuals.
Here are a few examples of how you can use the 'bum' in different contexts:
Words with a negative connotation impact some people by causing bad emotions. 'Vagabond,' 'vagrant,' 'tramp,' 'bum,' and 'hobo' can all have a negative connotation.
Calling someone one of these names is almost always perceived as an insult. Even with the double meaning of 'hobo,' you do not want to call a migrant worker a 'hobo.' They will likely assume you mean they are homeless or begging.
When using 'vagabond,' 'vagrant,' 'truant,' 'tramp,' 'bum,' and 'hobo,' remember that 'truant' is the only word that does not have a particularly negative meaning. Someone can be 'truant' without taking advantage of others, begging for money, and drifting from place to place.
They will likely be offended when you call someone a 'vagabond,' 'vagrant,' 'bum,' or 'hobo.' In a business setting, calling someone a 'tramp' could result in serious disciplinary action, and referring to someone as a 'hobo' will likely give them the sense that you think they are lazy or unwilling to work.
So, choose your words wisely when using any of these terms for unhoused people. Unless you are trying to write like Ernest Hemingway, instead of using one of these outdated terms, try unsheltered or unhoused to describe individuals experiencing homelessness.
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