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(Daily Express) Unlikely Media whipping up fears that burglars are now chalking some sort of weird hobo code around houses to let fellow criminals know if they're worth robbing   (express.co.uk) divider line 56
More: Unlikely, symbols, local police, crimes, fears, justice system  
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5003 clicks; posted to Main » on 05 Dec 2009 at 1:12 AM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!



56 Comments   (+0 »)
   

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2009-12-05 01:13:46 AM
Unlikely, submitter?

This is an old, old practice.
 
2009-12-05 01:15:13 AM
Wouldn't the sign mean "I've already stolen the good stuff?". Can't see the rationale is tipping off you competitors.
 
2009-12-05 01:16:59 AM
Why the fark would burglars want to tell others to go steal something instead of just stealing it themselves?

The saying "No honor among thieves" didn't come from no where.
 
2009-12-05 01:17:49 AM
Didn't I see this on Kit Kitridge "American Girl"?
 
2009-12-05 01:20:36 AM
Carousel Beast: Unlikely, submitter?

This is an old, old practice.


hobo code? Sure, but I don't think thieves guilds are all that common outside of that one town I adventured in a long time ago in AD&D 2nd ed.
 
2009-12-05 01:20:39 AM
Mass hobo grave in basement?
 
2009-12-05 01:21:59 AM
What's the hobo sign for "will serve a good hot meal to any burglar?"
 
2009-12-05 01:25:45 AM
I read something years ago about the practice of chalking signs outside houses/farms. It was more to do with letting their friends know that the people inside were ok for food/work/had a dog/or hated gypsies/hobo,tramps. Basically just passing information on.
 
2009-12-05 01:27:20 AM
Didn't I see this on Mad Men season 1 "Hobo Code"?
 
2009-12-05 01:27:40 AM
So glad I wasn't the only one who thought of D&D Adventures.
 
2009-12-05 01:28:17 AM
So I'm guessing a circle with a vertical cross in it means "armed homeowner"...

oh... wait...
 
2009-12-05 01:30:13 AM
There is something like this on the Appalachian Trail. But I think its more for getting food, shelter and female company for the night.
 
2009-12-05 01:30:16 AM
If only there were an easier way to say "simple diagonal cross"

\X
 
2009-12-05 01:34:22 AM
I learned everything I need to know about hobo signs from John Hodgman.
 
2009-12-05 01:34:23 AM
Simple Diagonal Cross marks the spot?
 
2009-12-05 01:36:06 AM
 
2009-12-05 01:36:58 AM
This obvious urban myth is well over 150 years old. Well done to the Daily Express for being on top of the latest breaking stories.
 
2009-12-05 01:38:38 AM
This is a very old code.

Sort of the reverse of 'beware of the dog'.

At least they are using chalk and not rattle cans.

In theory a homeowner could mark their own home. Or get a large dog. Or buy a firearm. Oh wait, this is Great Britain.
 
2009-12-05 01:46:45 AM
What's the code for "get off my lawn"?
 
2009-12-05 01:51:00 AM
At least it'll get them through the sewers in fewer turns.
 
2009-12-05 01:53:36 AM
Do they leave codes like, unprotected wireless, or protected wireless access point?

/wardriving hobos?
 
2009-12-05 01:54:11 AM
So, are homeowners allowed to make their own codes now... like say if we shoot a robber, we get to hang em upside-down in the yard for a week to ward off other robbers... like with crows???

/week is just a guessimate - just until they start to stink, then the cops can haul em off.
 
2009-12-05 02:00:10 AM
Good thing I spent a slot on "thieves cant"
 
2009-12-05 02:00:19 AM
I'm going to need to hear from John Hodgman, the most trusted name in hobo lore.
 
2009-12-05 02:01:46 AM
media.gamespy.com

Thief, seen left, plotting his next burglary.
 
2009-12-05 02:02:11 AM
I think this happened in a Seagal movie, but it ended up not working.
 
2009-12-05 02:04:14 AM
Aboleth: Didn't I see this on Mad Men season 1 "Hobo Code"?

The first rule of Hobo Code is you don't talk about Hobo Code.

/a dishonest man lives here...
 
2009-12-05 02:06:59 AM
Chulainn beat me to it.
/DNRTFA
 
2009-12-05 02:12:58 AM
Don Draper approves.


/or is it Dick Whitman?
 
2009-12-05 02:18:37 AM
Neither as exciting nor funny as the Modern Hobo Code.
 
2009-12-05 02:21:28 AM
Markings to homes signaling whether the occupants should have a crime committed against them such as robbery or murder?

Time to invest in lamb's blood.
 
2009-12-05 02:41:47 AM
Chulainn: Do they leave codes like, unprotected wireless, or protected wireless access point?
/wardriving hobos?


Yes.

www.blackbeltjones.com

farm3.static.flickr.com
 
2009-12-05 02:42:55 AM
Why are there hobos on the UK? They've had socialism long enough for everyone to be equal. oooops.
 
2009-12-05 02:45:22 AM
technology-guerilla.de
 
2009-12-05 02:47:39 AM
Hey I don't think anybody posted this yet... It's kinda related!

technology-guerilla.de
 
2009-12-05 02:52:46 AM
Blue dots on back yard fences around here was on the news a few weeks ago.
 
2009-12-05 03:12:15 AM
If there's a circle round the cross you have nothing worth stealing...

I have a cunning plan!
 
2009-12-05 03:23:46 AM
It's not for thieves, it's for hobos marking out houses where people give out food or hospitality to those who need it.
 
2009-12-05 03:55:14 AM
MeinRS6: Why are there hobos on the UK? They've had socialism long enough for everyone to be equal. oooops.

Without any significant elevation, Big Rock Candy Mountain remains elusive. Hoboes are pinning their hopes on finding Fiddler's Green, though.
 
2009-12-05 04:52:21 AM
www.northbankfred.com
 
2009-12-05 06:06:42 AM
(o)(o) "Ho's House"
.) , (
( Y )
 
2009-12-05 07:19:43 AM
Carousel Beast: Unlikely, submitter?

This is an old, old practice.


For all intensive purposes so is witchcraft. Still isn't real.
Please supply an anecdote to the last time you witnessed hobo code outside of your television.
 
2009-12-05 07:20:42 AM
haddie: Carousel Beast: Unlikely, submitter?

This is an old, old practice.

For all intensive intents and purposes so is witchcraft. Still isn't real.
Please supply an anecdote to the last time you witnessed hobo code outside of your television.


FTFM
 
2009-12-05 07:36:51 AM
FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: RE: FW: RE: RE:

/sorry
 
2009-12-05 08:07:05 AM
They do, its called writing on your back fence with chalk. You might want to look, someone noted on ours that we had a bike.
 
2009-12-05 08:43:11 AM
It's just the Low Men communicating with each other. Must be an escaped breaker in the area.
 
2009-12-05 08:50:07 AM
You know,
At least the story a ways back about how to decode teen text speak had links to a dictionary of sorts. Even if the dictionary was woefully incomplete and inaccurate They at least inncludede the link. These bozos couldn't even do a google search?


FAIL
 
2009-12-05 09:04:05 AM
Joce678: If there's a circle round the cross you have nothing worth stealing...

I have a cunning plan!


Came here for this.
Simple solutions are best.

/cause criminal chalk marks can't lie.
 
2009-12-05 09:55:08 AM
Approves.
www.e-hobo.com
 
2009-12-05 10:27:19 AM
Hobo Code: That would be a good FARK handle.
 
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