'Bo Knows Signs!

Back in the Depression-era 1930's, with much of the nation out of work, there were a large number of tramps, or hoboes. Drifting from town to town, looking for work (or not), they often travelled from one place to another by "hopping the rails" and hitching an illegal ride via the boxcars criss-crossing our fruited plain.

Once a 'bo landed in town, he or she would most likely want to know the lay of the land. Where would be a safe place to camp? Where is a good place for getting a handout? Did the owner of this house have a vicious dog? Would a little religious talk win a handout from this person?

So a system of marks and signs was born, readable by other hoboes in the know. They would leave a mark outside various locales, perhaps a fencepost here, a railroad trestle there. Here's a nifty guide to some of the more common hobo signs. Jusr roll your mouse over the symbol to see what they mean.

As for origin of the word "hobo", Merriam-Webster's tries to unravel the mystery.