What is the origin of hobo?
A hobo is a migrant worker or homeless vagrant, especially one who is impoverished. The term originated in the Western—probably Northwestern—United States around 1890. Unlike a “tramp”, who works only when forced to, and a “bum”, who does not work at all, a “hobo” is a traveling worker.
Do people still use the word hobo?
Be careful when you call a vagrant or homeless person a hobo — although this is exactly what the word means, it is a somewhat offensive term. The end of the nineteenth century brought the start of the word hobo in the Western United States.
Why is selling loosies illegal?
It is illegal because cigarettes are heavily taxed by the federal government and also by the individual state governments, and some times even by the city governments. Cigarette packs must bear tax stamps on the pack, to demonstrate that all applicable taxes have been paid.
Why do strangers want cigarettes?
It’s convenient for them if someone has a pack that they can ask for one from. Or, they do smoke and they’ve run out of their own. OR, they simply cannot afford cigarettes. Alternatively, reasoning might include the desire to try a different brand.
Why do people always ask for cigarettes?
People that ask for cigarettes are usually people that desperately want to smoke but don’t want to pay for the cost of them. Often they can get by by asking for cigarettes because a lot of people will go “oh yeah ok then” to just one cigarette.
Is it illegal to give someone a cigarette?
California Health and Safety Code Section 118950: a Penal Code Section 308: a state law that makes it a state law prohibiting free or nominal-cost cigarettes or crime to sell or give tobacco products or paraphernalia to smokeless tobacco products (or coupons, coupon offers, persons under the age of 21.
Can 18 year olds in the military buy tobacco?
You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase tobacco or tobacco related products (i.e. cigarette papers, tobacco paraphernalia, instruments designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco products) in the State of California. The exception is for active duty military personnel who are 18 years of age or older.