 Re: Bum/Tramp/Beggar/street urchin/panhandler
People might use them to say something bad about a person when they don't want to swear. It might not be exactly true but it's a put-down. For that use they are all OK except 'panhandler'. I've never heard 'panhandler' used out of context.
A 'bum' - generally a man who is lazy, asks for money from you, is sort of good for nothing ...
A 'tramp' - a a woman that sleeps around or has sex with anyone quite easily, a woman who gets around (sexually)
A 'beggar' - someone who begs for food or money to survive
A 'street urchin' - is an undesirable person on the street, probably a homeless person or a beggar
A 'panhandler' - a person who begs for money or food on the street |