Bindle
Bindle (from German "das Bündel" = "bundle, bale") is a term used to describe the bag, sack, or carrying device stereotypically used by the (commonly American)
sub-culture ofhobos . The person carrying a bindle was called a , combining "bindle" with theAverage Joe sense of (from German "Steif" = "stiff, rigid"). In popular culture the bindle is portrayed as being a stick with cloth or a blanket tied around one end for the carrying of items, with the entire array being carried over the shoulder. Particularly in cartoons, the bindles' sacks usually have apolka-dot ted orbandanna design. However, in actual use the bindle can take many forms, such as a backpack or carrier bag attached to a stick, meaning that bindle is specifically a term to identify bags or carrying devices used by travellers.An example of the stick-type bindle can be seen in the illustration entitled "The Runaway" created by
Norman Rockwell which appears on the cover of theSeptember 20 ,1958 edition ofThe Saturday Evening Post . [http://www.artchive.com/artchive/R/rockwell/rockwell_runaway.jpg.html]Though bindles are rarely seen anymore bindles are still widely seen in popular culture as a prevalent
anachronism .Drug culture
The word bindle is also a street term that can be used to describe a small paper packet of drugs that varies in weight under one gram.
Forensics
Bindle is also a term used in
forensics . It is the name for a piece of paper folded to hold trace evidence - not to be confused with apharmaceutical fold .Other cultures
In Australian history, a similar item is entitled a
swag or swag bag, something usually carried by transients or traveling workmen.ources
* Steinbeck, John.
Of Mice and Men
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Look at other dictionaries:
bindle — tramp s bundle, c.1900, perhaps from BUNDLE (Cf. bundle) or Scottish dialectal bindle cord or rope to bind things. Related: Bindlestiff … Etymology dictionary
bindle — ☆ bindle [bin′dəl ] n. [prob. < Ger bündel, bundle] Slang a bundle, as of bedding, carried by a hobo … English World dictionary
bindle — 1. n. a packet or bundle; a hobo’s pack. □ The guy had a bindle tied to a tick, just like an old time tramp. □ Throw your bindle over yonder, and plunk your butt on that empty crate. 2. n. a packet of drugs. (Drugs.) D She had a bindle of H. in… … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
bindle — noun /ˈbɪndl/ a) <ref name= OED1 /> Any given length of cord, rope, twine, etc, used to bind something.<ref name= OED1 /> lastly he made a bindle in a plastic tarp of some cans of juice and cans of fruit and cans of vegetables… b) A … Wiktionary
bindle — noun Etymology: perhaps alteration of bundle Date: 1897 a bundle of clothes or bedding … New Collegiate Dictionary
bindle — /bin dl/, n. Slang. a bundle, usually of bedding and other possessions, carried by a hobo. [1895 1900; prob. akin to BUNDLE; uncert. if < dial. source or < G Bündel] * * * … Universalium
bindle — n. (Slang) bundle; tiny pack of drug powder; heroin … English contemporary dictionary
bindle — bin·dle … English syllables
bindle — ˈbindəl noun ( s) Etymology: probably alter of bundle 1. slang a. : a bundle usually containing clothing and cooking utensils b … Useful english dictionary
bindle stiff — noun hobos, misfits, criminals, wanderers or drifting harvest workers; so called because they carry a bindle Quotation: used in Of Mice and Men … Wiktionary
