World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesBindle-stiff
/ˈbɪn.dəlˌstɪf/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
A wandering, homeless migrant worker or hobo, especially one carrying a bedroll (bindle).
"During the Great Depression, many bindle-stiffs traveled from farm to farm looking for seasonal harvest work."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The term originated in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, combining 'bindle' (a hobo's bundle containing bedding and personal belongings) and 'stiff' (an old slang term for a laborer, tramp, or drifter). It became heavily embedded in American Depression-era literature, notably appearing in the works of John Steinbeck to describe itinerant migrant workers.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Bindle-stiff"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Bindle-stiff" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
travailleur migrant
Transliteration: travail-yœʁ mi.ɡʁɑ̃
"Le bindle-stiff cherchait du travail dans les fermes."
Wanderarbeiter
Transliteration: ˈvandɐˌʔaʁbaɪtɐ
"Die Wanderarbeiter zogen im Land umher."
lavoratore migrante
Transliteration: lavoraˈtore miˈgrante
"Il lavoratore migrante cercava occupazione."
vagabundo
Transliteration: baɣaˈβundo
"El vagabundo llevaba su petate al hombro."
trabalhador migrante
Transliteration: trabaʎaˈdoɾ miˈɡɾɐ̃tʃi
"O trabalhador migrante viajava em busca de emprego."
खानाab दोष मजदूर
Transliteration: ghumakkad majdoor
Script: घुमक्कड़ मजदूर
"वह एक घुमक्कड़ मजदूर था जो काम की तलाश में था।"
流浪零工
Transliteration: liúlàng línggōng
"那个流浪零工背着行李四处寻找工作。"
떠돌이 노동자
Transliteration: tteodori nodongja
"떠돌이 노동자들이 일자리 찾아 이동했다."
放浪労働者
Transliteration: hōrō rōdōsha
"その放浪労働者は荷物を持って旅をしていた。"
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