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clochard

tramp, homeless person, vagrant

noun klo-SHAR Rare
People & Society Community

Origin: From French clocher (to limp, to be defective); originally 'one who limps'

Usage Note

Clochard is the traditional French word for a street tramp or vagrant, associated with the romantic-gritty image of the Paris clochards sleeping under Seine bridges. The more politically neutral modern term is sans-abri or SDF (sans domicile fixe — of no fixed abode). Clochard can feel slightly old-fashioned or stereotyping in current social discourse.

Examples

"Un clochard dormait sur le banc du parc."

Natural Translation

A tramp was sleeping on the park bench.

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