Tramping

/ˈtræmpɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Walking with heavy, loud footsteps, or traveling on foot for long distances, often as a vagabond or wanderer.

Etymology

From Middle English 'trampen,' possibly from Old Norse 'tramp.' The word originally meant to step heavily, and evolved to describe both the sound of footsteps and the lifestyle of traveling workers.

Kelly Says

In the Great Depression, thousands of 'tramps' (hobos) traveled America by train and on foot, and they developed their own slang and secret symbols to mark safe houses—'tramping' became a whole subculture of survival.

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