Vagabond vs. Hobo: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A vagabond is generally someone who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or employment, living by occasional work, whereas a hobo is traditionally a homeless person, especially one who is impoverished & travels to work for short-term jobs.
Key Differences
A vagabond is often characterized by their choice to live a life of wandering, frequently moving from one place to another, either by choice or due to circumstances. They may engage in occasional work but do not seek permanent employment. A hobo, in contrast, is typically driven by necessity rather than choice, often traveling to seek short-term employment, usually manual labor, and is closely associated with poverty and homelessness.
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Dec 09, 2023
Historically, vagabonds were seen as free spirits, choosing a nomadic lifestyle and often romanticized in literature and folklore. They are sometimes perceived as adventurers or rebels against societal norms. Hobos, on the other hand, emerged prominently during the Great Depression in the United States, known for riding freight trains and seeking whatever work they could find, often stigmatized due to their poverty and itinerant lifestyle.
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Dec 09, 2023
In terms of social perception, vagabonds are often viewed with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, seen as individuals who reject conventional lifestyles. Hobos, conversely, are frequently viewed with sympathy or pity, as their lifestyle is often a result of economic hardship and lack of alternatives, not a deliberate choice.
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Dec 09, 2023
The legal status of vagabonds has varied historically, with some societies viewing them as outlaws or social deviants, while others tolerate their lifestyle as a personal choice. Hobos, especially during economic crises, have often faced legal challenges, with their itinerant lifestyle leading to accusations of vagrancy or trespassing.
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Dec 09, 2023
Culturally, vagabonds have been celebrated in some contexts as symbols of freedom and non-conformity. Hobos, while also featuring in cultural narratives, are often portrayed in a more sympathetic light, highlighting the struggles of the homeless and the working poor.
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Comparison Chart
Societal Perception
Seen as adventurous, rebellious
Viewed with sympathy or pity
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Historical Context
Romanticized in literature
Emerged during economic hardships
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Vagabond and Hobo Definitions
Vagabond
Drifter
The vagabond was a drifter, never staying in one town for long.
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Hobo
Tramp
Known as a tramp, the hobo sought temporary jobs wherever he went.
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Vagabond
Rover
The vagabond lived as a rover, journeying from place to place without a clear destination.
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Hobo
Migrant Worker
The hobo traveled as a migrant worker, picking fruits in different states.
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Vagabond
Nomad
A vagabond travels without a fixed route, like a nomad wandering the desert.
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Hobo
Vagrant
Often seen as a vagrant, the hobo moved constantly in search of work.
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Vagabond
Wanderer
As a wanderer, the vagabond roamed the countryside, seeking new experiences.
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Hobo
Traveler
The hobo lived as a traveler, using trains as his mode of transportation.
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Vagabond
Wayfarer
The wayfarer, a true vagabond, trekked through cities and forests alike.
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Hobo
One who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or a means of livelihood.
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Oct 19, 2023
Vagabond
A person who moves from place to place without a permanent home and often without a regular means of support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hobo
Also hobo bag A large, crescent-shaped handbag with a single shoulder strap and usually a zippered top.
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Vagabond
A person on a trip of indeterminate destination and/or length of time.
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Hobo
(North America) A wandering homeless person, especially (historical) one illegally travelling by rail or (pejorative) a penniless, unemployed bum.
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Vagabond
One who usually wanders from place to place, having no fixed dwelling, or not abiding in it, and usually without the means of honest livelihood.
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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.
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Vagabond
Moving from place to place without a settled habitation; wandering.
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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.
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Vagabond
Floating about without any certain direction; driven to and fro.
To heaven their prayersFlew up, nor missed the way, by envious windsBlown vagabond or frustrate.
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Hobo
A disreputable vagrant;
A homeless tramp
He tried to help the really down-and-out bums
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Hobo
Itinerant Laborer
As an itinerant laborer, the hobo worked on railroads and farms.
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Vagabond
One who wanders from place to place, having no fixed dwelling, or not abiding in it, and usually without the means of honest livelihood; a vagrant; a tramp; hence, a worthless person; a rascal.
A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be.
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Vagabond
To play the vagabond; to wander like a vagabond; to stroll.
On every part my vagabonding sightDid cast, and drown mine eyes in sweet delight.
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Vagabond
Anything that resembles a vagabond in having no fixed place;
Pirate ships were vagabonds of the sea
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Vagabond
A wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
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Vagabond
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
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Vagabond
Wandering aimlessly without ties to a place or community;
Led a vagabond life
A rootless wanderer
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Vagabond
Continually changing especially as from one abode or occupation to another;
A drifting double-dealer
The floating population
Vagrant hippies of the sixties
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What type of work do hobos do?
Hobos often engage in short-term manual labor, such as agricultural work, construction, or railroad jobs.
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Dec 09, 2023
What defines a vagabond?
A vagabond is someone who wanders from place to place without a permanent home, often living off occasional work or begging.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is being a hobo a lifestyle choice?
Typically, being a hobo is not a lifestyle choice but a necessity due to poverty or lack of stable employment.
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Are vagabonds and hobos legally recognized terms?
These terms are more cultural and social descriptors and are not typically used in a legal context.
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Do vagabonds work?
Vagabonds may work occasionally, but they generally avoid permanent employment and prefer a nomadic lifestyle.
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Do hobos travel in groups?
Hobos may travel alone or in groups, especially when migrating for work.
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Can a vagabond have a home?
Traditionally, vagabonds do not have a permanent home, as their lifestyle involves continuous travel.
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Dec 09, 2023
What challenges do hobos face?
Hobos face numerous challenges, including poverty, lack of stable housing, and often, legal issues related to vagrancy.
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Dec 09, 2023
How are vagabonds viewed in society?
Vagabonds are often viewed with curiosity and suspicion, seen as individuals living outside societal norms.
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Is vagabondage a modern trend?
While the concept of vagabondage exists today, it is less common and often romanticized compared to historical contexts.
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Are all hobos homeless?
While many hobos are homeless or lack permanent housing, not all individuals who travel for work are without a home.
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What motivates a vagabond's lifestyle?
A vagabond's lifestyle is often motivated by a desire for freedom, adventure, and non-conformity.
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Dec 09, 2023
How did the Great Depression impact hobos?
The Great Depression saw a significant increase in hobos, as many people lost their jobs and homes, turning to itinerant work.
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Can vagabonds settle down?
While some vagabonds may eventually settle down, their identity is deeply tied to their nomadic lifestyle.
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Can vagabonds be part of a community?
Vagabonds may form or join transient communities but typically do not engage in traditional, settled communities.
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Are hobos part of the gig economy?
Hobos could be considered part of the gig economy, as they typically work short-term, transient jobs.
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How do literature and art depict vagabonds?
Literature and art often romanticize vagabonds, depicting them as free-spirited adventurers.
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Dec 09, 2023
What is the public perception of hobos today?
Today, hobos are often viewed with a mix of sympathy and misunderstanding, reflecting broader attitudes towards homelessness and poverty.
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Dec 09, 2023
What distinguishes a vagabond from a tourist?
Unlike tourists, vagabonds do not travel for leisure or within a fixed timeframe, and their journey is a way of life rather than a temporary escape.
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Do hobos have a unique culture?
Hobos have developed a unique culture, with their own codes, symbols, and traditions, particularly around train hopping.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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