Talk:Bum

A comment
inclusion of "homeless" link maybe?

76.22.60.40 (talk) 08:32, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * done.  Yahel  Guhan  06:33, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Conrad?
Seems like vandalism to link to Conrad, as was previously done. I've removed the reference. - IstvanWolf (talk) 18:46, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

bums are the slopy things hanging off of the back of your legs —Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.149.107.115 (talk) 10:53, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

Similar links.
The first, third and fourth links all sound quite similar. Should they be merged?

1 a slang term for a hobo, beggar, or a "forgotten man." 3 a slang term for a hobo (though unlike hobos, a bum is unlikely to seek work) 4 A lazy person; slacker 5.a bum is a word that is also the thing that all people have. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 151.225.99.150 (talk) 10:38, 18 November 2018 (UTC)

123dylan456 (talk) 16:04, 15 July 2010 (UTC)


 * A hobo is not a bum. 12.12.144.130 (talk) 22:41, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

Error in the disambiguation definitions.
It says:

A pejorative term for a homeless person or beggar

However, that is an application which may or may not be made. "Bum" means someone who is either (1) unwilling to work, though able or (2) unprincipled, particularly if they hold political office.

That the word may be applied to a homeless person is an act of prejudice or bigotry or in some cases perhaps accurate for certain homeless persons. To define it as such is erroneous. Sadly, I am locked out at this point and not aware of what the process is to get some editorial input.

I propose the definition be revised to say:

"someone who is either (1) unwilling to work, though able or (2) unprincipled, particularly if they hold political office; may be applied perjoratively to someone who is engaged in loafing or to persons who appear to be unkempt, dishelved, homeless, or mentally ill, whether or not the term is otherwise applicable."

Now the counter argument, that the word means homeless person, is an application of the prejudicial historic use, through lack of sensitivity or awareness of emerging sensitivities. Parrallels required, to understand the gravity of this problem, must be considered regard African-descended persons, Jewish persons, etcetera.

It has been argued that wikipedia is dominated by a sort of "mob" or "swarm intelligence". Generally, I do not believe that is the case. But it does appear that there are instances when the wikipedia set up may be less responsive to intellectual trends and may freeze and perpetrate inadequate intelligence. This can be fixed if the administrators are willing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Brothercanyouspareadime (talk • contribs) 03:20, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Orthographic error
It says "perjorative" when it should say "pejorative".

Parluciaga (talk) 20:51, 18 May 2011 (UTC)Parluciaga


 * Thanks. Fixed. -- Escape Orbit  (Talk) 21:01, 18 May 2011 (UTC)

bum - homeless person
A bum is not equal to a "homeless person". A bum is a homeless person who refuses any involvement in work. This is distinguished from a "Tramp" who works when forced to and a "Hobo" who is homeless but works. 12.12.144.130 (talk) 22:39, 4 January 2017 (UTC)