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May 12, 2005

bindlestiff (BIN-dl-stif) noun

A hobo who carries a bundle of bedding and other possessions.
[From English bindle (bundle) + stiff (tramp). Ultimately from Indo-European root bhendh- (to bind), that is also the source of such words as bandanna, band, bond, and bundle.]
"In fact, the governor is hardly more than a duly elected bindlestiff running a train full of deadbeats." Michael Browning; Janet the Just; Palm Beach Post (Florida); Sep 22, 2002.
This week's theme: miscellaneous words.

PronunciationRealAudio

Permalink:
http://wordsmith.org/words/bindlestiff.html

Posted by Keya at May 12, 2005 08:40 PM
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