Bindle

A bundle, typically carried over the shoulder, containing personal belongings. This often includes bedding, clothing, and other essential items. Historically, the bindle was a common sight amongst hobos, migrant workers, and those experiencing poverty or homelessness. It represents a transient lifestyle, characterized by movement and a lack of permanent residence. The contents within a bindle reflect the owner's immediate needs and resources, serving as a portable home and survival kit. The materials used to make a bindle varied, often utilizing durable cloth, such as canvas or denim, secured with rope or twine to create a compact, easily transportable package. The image of a bindle is frequently associated with a romanticized or nostalgic view of nomadic life.

Bindle meaning with examples

• The weary traveler, his face etched with the lines of hardship, adjusted his threadbare bindle, slung over his shoulder as he walked the long and dusty road. It was the only possession he had, a symbol of his journey. His journey began in the early morning, with a new sunrise giving him hope as he walked.
• The old hobo, weathered and worn, clutched his well-worn bindle. Within it were his few worldly possessions, a testament to his life on the open road. It contained all he would need for the next few weeks, a true home.
• In the Depression era, families often packed their belongings into bindles, seeking work and a better life elsewhere. The bindle, filled with hope and the bare essentials, was their symbol.
• The artist sketched the silhouette of a figure with a bindle against a sunset, a symbol of freedom and the open road. They did this to share a message to the world.
• The backpacker replaced their bindle with a modern hiking backpack, equipped with all of the latest technology, and prepared for a long trip in the wilderness. It was a stark contrast to the older version.