OTHER TYPES OF HOMELESS MEN
Many of the terms which are epithets picturesquely describe special types of homeless men. The popular names for the various types of tramps and hobos are current terms that have been picked up on the street as they pass from mouth to mouth. Some of them are new, others are old, while all of them are in flux. Names of types are coined by the men themselves. They serve a while and then pass out, giving place to new and more catchy terms. Change is characteristic of tramp terminology and tramp jargon. Words assume a different meaning as they are extensively used, or they become too general in their use and newer terms are invented. Many of the names by which types are designated were at first terms of derision, but terms seem to lose their stigma by continued use.[29]
Among tramps who seldom if ever work are those who peddle some kind of wares or sell some kind of service.
The Mushfaker is a man who sells his services. He may be a tinker, a glazier, an umbrella mender, or he may repair sewing machines or typewriters. Some mushfakers even pose as piano tuners. The mushfaker usually follows some occupation which permits him to sit in the shade while he works. Often the trade or art he plies is one that he has learned in a penal institution.
The Scissor Bill is a man who carries with him tools to sharpen saws, knives, razors, etc. Often he pushes a grindstone along the street.
Beggars among tramps are usually named with reference to the methods they employ.
The following classification is taken from a narrative work by “A No. 1, The Famous Tramp,” who claims to have traveled 500,000 miles for $7.61. His books are more or less sensational and are not popular among many tramps, because they say the incidents he relates are overdrawn.[30]
The Rating of the Tramps by “A No. 1”
| 1. Pillinger | Solicited alms at stores, offices, and residences |
| 2. Moocher | Accosted passers-by in the street |
| 3. Flopper | Squatted on sidewalk in business thoroughfares |
| 4. Stiffy | Simulated paralysis |
| 5. Dummy | Pretends to be deaf and dumb |
| 6. Wires | Peddling articles made of stolen telegraph wires |
| 7. Mush Faker | } | Umbrella mender who learned trade in penal institution |
| 8. Mush Rigger | } |
| 9. Wangy | Disguised begging by selling shoestrings |
| 10. Stickers | Disguised begging by selling court plaster |
| 11. Timbers | Disguised begging by selling lead pencils |
| 12. Sticks | Train rider who lost a leg |
| 13. Peg | Train rider who lost a foot |
| 14. Fingy or Fingers | Train rider who lost one or more fingers |
| 15. Blinky | Train rider who lost one or both eyes |
| 16. Wingy | Train rider who lost one or both arms |
| 17. Mitts | Train rider who lost one or both hands |
| 18. Righty | Train rider who lost right arm and leg |
| 19. Lefty | Train rider who lost left arm and leg |
| 20. Halfy | Train rider who lost both legs below knee |
| 21. Straight Crip | Actually crippled or otherwise afflicted |
| 22. Phoney Crip | Self-mutilated or simulating a deformity |
| 23. Pokey Stiff | Subsisting on handouts solely |
| 24. Phoney Stiff | Disposing of fraudulent jewelry |
| 25. Proper Stiff | Considered manual toil the acme of disgrace |
| 26. Gink or Gandy Stiff | Occasionally labored, a day or two at the most |
| 27. Alkee Stiff | } | Confirmed consumers of alcohol |
| 28. White Line Stiff | } |
| 29. Rummy Stiff | Deranged intellect by habitual use of raw rum |
| 30. Bundle Stiff | } | Carried bedding |
| 31. Blanket Stiff | } |
| 32. Chronicker | Hoboed with cooking utensils |
| 33. Stew Bum | } | The dregs of vagrantdom |
| 34. Ding Bat | } |
| 35. Fuzzy Tail | } |
| 36. Grease Tail | } |
| 37. Jungle Buzzard | } |
| 38. Shine or Dingy | Colored vagabond |
| 39. Gay Cat | Employed as scout by criminal tramps |
| 40. Dino or Dynamiter | Sponged food of fellow hobos |
| 41. Yegg | Roving desperado |
| 42. Gun Moll | A dangerous woman tramp |
| 43. Hay Bag | A female stew bum |
| 44. Jocker | Taught minors to beg and crook |
| 45. Road Kid or Preshun | Boy held in bondage by jocker |
| 46. Punk | Boy discarded by jocker |
| 47. Gonsil | Youth not yet adopted by jocker |