Now traveling around the Web: hobo code

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A shout out to Cockeyed for its latest edition of ‘Modern Hobo Code.’

As the site explains: ‘Hobo code’ was a set of covert markings used to alert fellow hobos to good and bad situations. Cockeyed has updated the code for the modern day. Cockeyed’s version was a big hit on Reddit.com. And it got some love from Laughing Squid.

According to Wikipedia: ‘To cope with the difficulty of hobo life, hobos developed a system of symbols, or a code. Hobos would write this code with chalk or coal to provide directions, information and warnings to other hobos. Some signs included ‘turn right here,’ ‘beware of hostile railroad police,’ ‘dangerous dog,’ ‘food available here’ and so on.’

Our favorite hobo code is in flashbacks on AMC’s ‘Mad Men.’

-- Jessica Guynn