Who Knew?

During the Great Depression, "American Tramp and Underworld Slang" by Godfry Irwin was published.  In this book Irwin explains the differences between Bum, Tramp and Hobo.

A bum loafs and sits; a tramp loafs and walks - while a hobo moves and works.  Hobo is derived from the slang phrase "hoeboy".  It is believe that this term originated because many of the men riding the rails searching for work would bring with them a hoe in hopes they would find farm work.

Perhaps this would explain why Hobos are often portrayed with their belongings tied to 'sticks'....they are actually hoes.

WHO KNEW???