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Flophouse: An Authentic Undercover Study of Flophouses, Cage Hotels, Including Missions, Shelters, and Institutions Serving Unattached Men
A survey of the conditions of flophouses in Chicago and other major cities in the 1930's and 40's
170 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1948
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April 5, 2012
Interesting survey of flophouses and public relief policies of the 1930's. The book mainly focuses on Chicago homeless unmarried males.
There was a social order in 'hobohemia"-The hobo is at the top because he is a migratory worker and must travel. "Tramps" are degraded hobos and "bums" are degenerate former tramps.
Theres plenty of great slang terms-
The Deralier- one who begs or steals derail (denatured alcohol),yackidak, or canned heat.
Stump bum-- a one legged bum
Fit Thrower- "Psuedo-epileptic soap-in-the-mouth specialist" (!)
A bit of history of the vagrant is featured- my favorite anecdote being that a beggar was given some sort of relief (food, a nights sleep)when he appeared in a village and then promptly whipped severely and run out of town.
There was a social order in 'hobohemia"-The hobo is at the top because he is a migratory worker and must travel. "Tramps" are degraded hobos and "bums" are degenerate former tramps.
Theres plenty of great slang terms-
The Deralier- one who begs or steals derail (denatured alcohol),yackidak, or canned heat.
Stump bum-- a one legged bum
Fit Thrower- "Psuedo-epileptic soap-in-the-mouth specialist" (!)
A bit of history of the vagrant is featured- my favorite anecdote being that a beggar was given some sort of relief (food, a nights sleep)when he appeared in a village and then promptly whipped severely and run out of town.
Displaying 1 of 1 review