Hobos are often referred to as vagrants, drifters, or vagabonds, all of which imply a transient way of life with no set abode. They are also sometimes called tramps, bums, or homeless individuals. These synonyms often carry a negative connotation and are used to describe those who wander aimlessly without any means of support or purpose. However, it is important to recognize that the term hobo was once a more neutral descriptor for those who traveled by foot or by freight train in search of work and adventure. Today, while homeless individuals may still engage in this way of life, the term hobo has largely fallen out of use in favor of these more pejorative synonyms.