PASSING OF THE HOBO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 260, 1 November 1929, Page 10

PASSING OF THE HOBO

VANISHING FROM AMERICA. SURVIVAL OF THE “LINGO.” NEW YOHlt. Oct. 1. The hobo is disappearing from America, Seldom docs one see the ragged figure sauntering along the railway track, waiting for the train to move. But his language lives on. Jt was the imaginatin of the “hobo” that created railroad ‘‘lingo” used today in train yards and roundhouses. The hobo ’« hatred of discipline was revealed by his talk. The general manager was always “whiskers,” a superintendent the “old man,” a trainmaster a “warthog,” a switchmaster a “dinger.” The master mechanic was the “master maniac,” roundhouses were ‘‘madhouses,” and a railway detective a “cinder dick.” people the hobo came in contact with while “riding the rods” were given special names. The engine-driver was a “hoghead,” “eagle eye” and “positive block,” the conductor a “Big O” or “bakehcad,” the brakeman, their mortal enemy, a “shock,” “roughneck,” “groundhog,” ‘‘stinger” or “fielder.” Firemen were “tallow pots” or “diamond pushers,” while all shunters were given the name of ‘ ‘ snakes. ’ ’ The various types of engine and carriages had their special names. Any locomotive was a “hog,” “kettle” or “teapot.” A big engine was a “battleship,” shunting engines were “goats.” Cabooses were “doghouses,” “crummerics, ” “crumb boxes” or “buggies,” while the toolbox underneath was a “possum belly.” The pay-car was a “family distributor” or “band waggon.” Refrigerator cars were “freezers.” Pullman cars “snoozers,” a private car a “drone cage” or “brain waggon.” An empty coach was a “bull fighter,” and a passenger car a “varnish waggon.” Hoboes had expressions to describe their own habits. When one of their craft boasted he was “blowing smoke,” when he left the profession, he “pulled a pin.” When one transgressed he “took the mat.” Even though the hoboes have gone their “lingo” is still heard when old-time railroad employees gather.