hobo jungle
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A makeshift encampment adjacent to a railroad freight carrier's property where train hoppers/hobos, tramps, or bums congregate while waiting for their outbound train.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “hobo jungle” mean?
A makeshift encampment adjacent to a railroad freight carrier's property where train hoppers/hobos, tramps, or bums congregate while waiting for their outbound train.
Is “hobo jungle” formal or informal?
hobo jungle is generally slang.