Homeless person slang varies across different regions and communities, shedding light on the diverse ways in which people refer to those experiencing homelessness. Curious to learn more about these terms and their meanings? Look no further as we unveil a collection of slang words used to describe individuals facing housing insecurity. Join us on this linguistic journey to gain a deeper understanding of the language surrounding homelessness and the importance of sensitivity in our everyday conversations.
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1. Vagabond
A vagabond is a person who travels from place to place without a permanent home or job. They are often associated with a nomadic lifestyle and may rely on odd jobs or begging for survival.
- For example, “The old man living in the park is a vagabond who wanders from town to town.”
- A traveler might say, “I feel a sense of freedom and adventure when I live as a vagabond.”
- In a discussion about homelessness, someone might argue, “We should provide support and resources to help vagabonds transition into stable housing.”
2. Hobo
A hobo is a homeless person who travels by hopping on freight trains or hitchhiking. They often live a transient lifestyle and may rely on temporary work or panhandling for survival.
- For instance, “The hobo sat by the train tracks with a sign asking for food.”
- In a conversation about the Great Depression, someone might mention, “Many people became hobos and rode the rails in search of work.”
- A person might say, “I admire the resourcefulness and resilience of hobos who find ways to survive on the road.”
3. Tramp
A tramp is a homeless person who moves from place to place without a fixed residence. They may rely on shelters, temporary accommodations, or sleeping rough on the streets.
- For example, “The tramp slept on a park bench with all his belongings in a shopping cart.”
- In a discussion about poverty, someone might argue, “We need to address the root causes of homelessness to help tramps regain stability.”
- A person might say, “It’s important to show compassion and empathy towards tramps who are struggling to find a home.”
4. Bag lady
A bag lady is a term often used to refer to a homeless woman who carries her belongings in bags or shopping carts. It can also be used more broadly to describe any homeless person, regardless of gender, who carries their possessions in bags.
- For instance, “The bag lady walked down the street, pushing her shopping cart filled with belongings.”
- In a conversation about homelessness, someone might mention, “We should provide support and resources to help bag ladies find stable housing.”
- A person might say, “Stereotyping bag ladies as mentally ill or dangerous is unfair and perpetuates stigma.”
5. Street dweller
A street dweller is a homeless person who sleeps and lives on the streets. They may create makeshift shelters or sleep directly on sidewalks or in public spaces.
- For example, “The street dweller set up a tent under the bridge to protect themselves from the elements.”
- In a discussion about urban poverty, someone might mention, “The number of street dwellers has increased due to rising housing costs.”
- A person might say, “Providing safe and affordable housing is crucial to reducing the number of street dwellers in our cities.”
6. Itinerant
An itinerant refers to a person who travels from place to place, often in search of work or new experiences. It is commonly used to describe someone who does not have a fixed home or permanent residence.
- For example, “The itinerant musician played in various cities across the country.”
- A person might say, “I met an interesting itinerant traveler who had seen the world.”
- In a discussion about homelessness, someone might mention, “Many itinerants face challenges in finding stable housing.”
7. Bum
This term is often used to refer to a homeless person or someone who is perceived as lazy or lacking ambition. It can be derogatory and offensive when used to demean or belittle individuals experiencing homelessness.
- For instance, “Some people mistakenly assume that all bums are lazy.”
- In a conversation about panhandling, someone might say, “We should focus on helping bums find stable housing.”
- A person discussing poverty might argue, “Labeling someone a bum ignores the underlying systemic issues that contribute to homelessness.”
8. Drifter
A drifter is someone who moves from place to place without a fixed destination or purpose. It can be used to describe someone who is homeless or without a permanent residence.
- For example, “The drifter spent his days exploring new cities and meeting new people.”
- In a discussion about transient populations, someone might say, “Drifters often face unique challenges in accessing social services.”
- A person might mention, “The novel follows the journey of a drifter searching for meaning in life.”
9. Homeless person
This term refers to a person who does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. It is a more respectful and inclusive way to describe someone who is experiencing homelessness.
- For instance, “There are various organizations working to support homeless individuals in our community.”
- In a conversation about affordable housing, someone might say, “We need more resources to address the needs of homeless people.”
- A person discussing social inequality might argue, “The number of homeless people in our society is a reflection of systemic issues.”
10. Street person
This term is often used to describe someone who is homeless and spends a significant amount of time living or sleeping on the streets. It is important to use this term with sensitivity and respect.
- For example, “The outreach program provides support to street people in need.”
- In a discussion about urban poverty, someone might say, “We must address the root causes of street homelessness.”
- A person might mention, “Some street people face additional challenges, such as mental health issues or substance abuse.”
11. Roofless
This term refers to someone who is homeless and does not have a roof over their head. It emphasizes the lack of a stable living situation.
- For example, a person might say, “I saw a group of roofless individuals sleeping on park benches.”
- In a discussion about homelessness, someone might mention, “Many roofless individuals struggle to find basic necessities like food and clean water.”
- A news article might describe a person as “one of the city’s many roofless residents.”
12. Urban explorer
This term is used to describe someone who chooses to live a transient lifestyle in urban areas. It can also refer to individuals who explore cities and their surroundings.
- For instance, a person might say, “I met an urban explorer who travels from city to city, living off the grid.”
- In a discussion about alternative lifestyles, someone might mention, “Urban explorers often rely on their resourcefulness to survive.”
- A documentary might feature interviews with urban explorers, showcasing their experiences and perspectives.
13. Urban wanderer
This term describes a person who does not have a fixed address and spends their time moving from place to place in urban environments.
- For example, a person might say, “I saw an urban wanderer sitting on a street corner, lost in their thoughts.”
- In a discussion about homelessness, someone might mention, “Urban wanderers face unique challenges due to the constant movement and lack of stability.”
- A photographer might capture images of urban wanderers to raise awareness about homelessness.