FARK.com: (4824741) 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

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		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)		56
		More: Unlikely, symbols, local police, crimes, fears, justice system

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56 Comments (+0 »)

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Carousel Beast

2009-12-05 01:13:46 AM

Unlikely, submitter?

This is an old, old practice.

Ed Willy

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.

Bunnyhat

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.

Fatroll

2009-12-05 01:17:49 AM

Didn't I see this on Kit Kitridge "American Girl"?

xuanzhiyouxuan

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.

kidsizedcoffin

2009-12-05 01:20:39 AM

Mass hobo grave in basement?

gregscott

2009-12-05 01:21:59 AM

What's the hobo sign for "will serve a good hot meal to any burglar?"

TaGirl_Keri

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.

Aboleth

2009-12-05 01:27:20 AM

Didn't I see this on Mad Men season 1 "Hobo Code"?

RadiantAerynSun

2009-12-05 01:27:40 AM

So glad I wasn't the only one who thought of D&D Adventures.

chupathingie

2009-12-05 01:28:17 AM

So I'm guessing a circle with a vertical cross in it means "armed homeowner"...

oh... wait...

Solty Dog

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.

Zombies

2009-12-05 01:30:16 AM

If only there were an easier way to say "simple diagonal cross"

\X

Rhaab

2009-12-05 01:34:22 AM

I learned everything I need to know about hobo signs from John Hodgman.

HomeGrownCone

2009-12-05 01:34:23 AM

Simple Diagonal Cross marks the spot?

Scorpinock

2009-12-05 01:36:06 AM

/unavailable for comment (new window)

Tellurianix

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.

2and4

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.

Glenechocreek

2009-12-05 01:46:45 AM

What's the code for "get off my lawn"?

Weigard

2009-12-05 01:51:00 AM

At least it'll get them through the sewers in fewer turns.

Chulainn

2009-12-05 01:53:36 AM

Do they leave codes like, unprotected wireless, or protected wireless access point?

/wardriving hobos?

TheMega

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.

Fano

2009-12-05 02:00:10 AM

Good thing I spent a slot on "thieves cant"

AgentOrangeDrink

2009-12-05 02:00:19 AM

I'm going to need to hear from John Hodgman, the most trusted name in hobo lore.

Fano

2009-12-05 02:01:46 AM

Thief, seen left, plotting his next burglary.

Handicapped

2009-12-05 02:02:11 AM

I think this happened in a Seagal movie, but it ended up not working.

Kierkegaard's Pseudonym

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...

GooberLover

2009-12-05 02:06:59 AM

Chulainn beat me to it.
/DNRTFA

Abagadro

2009-12-05 02:12:58 AM

Don Draper approves.

/or is it Dick Whitman?

LITTL3_D3VIL

2009-12-05 02:18:37 AM

Neither as exciting nor funny as the Modern Hobo Code.

Con Fabulous

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.

FerroMancer

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

MeinRS6

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.

averagejoe42

2009-12-05 02:45:22 AM

Urda

2009-12-05 02:47:39 AM

Hey I don't think anybody posted this yet... It's kinda related!

technology-guerilla.de

FarkinFarker

2009-12-05 02:52:46 AM

Blue dots on back yard fences around here was on the news a few weeks ago.

Joce678

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!

LavenderWolf

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.

Fano

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.

The_one_with_that_guy

2009-12-05 04:52:21 AM

Fark In A Wind Storm

2009-12-05 06:06:42 AM

(o)(o) "Ho's House"
.) , (
( Y )

haddie

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.

haddie

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

spartacus_prime

2009-12-05 07:36:51 AM

FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: RE: FW: RE: RE:

/sorry

farscape

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.

masterskip

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.

IAMTHEINTARWEBS

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

Vkingbanna

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.

Brown Sauce

2009-12-05 09:55:08 AM

Approves.