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straphanger love

straphanger

Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun One who grips a hanging strap or similar device for support while riding as a passenger on a bus or subway.
  • noun One who uses public transportation.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A person who travels using public transportation (often standing up and holding on to a strap).

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a standing subway or bus passenger who grips a hanging strap for support
  • noun a commuter who uses public transportation

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

strap +‎ hanger

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Examples

  • The video, which went viral Monday, was captured by a straphanger Friday at the 181st Street Station in Washington Heights.

    Long Ride at 181st Street Tamer El-Ghobashy 2011

  • To make a 30-day pass more cost-effective than a pay-per-ride card, a straphanger now needs to use it at least 50 times a month.

    Higher Fares, Tolls Kick In Andrew Grossman 2010

  • Even there's one lonesome straphanger or passed-out reveler riding home at 3 in the morning, the subway's capacity expenses are basically unchanged; a discounted off-peak fare only makes the subway more competitive with taxis and cars.

    Alex Pasternack: Why New York Subway Chief's Congestion Pricing Idea Makes Cents 2009

  • The confrontation, between Sgt. Kevin Hayes and Daily News reporter Wil Cruz, occurred on Nov. 21, just hours after a crazed straphanger fatally knifed a stranger aboard a midtown D train.

    Len Levitt: An Ugly NYPD-Media Confrontation 2009

  • This situation is clearly less than ideal for elected officials, terrible for a city's environmental footprint, and worst of all for the everyday straphanger or bus rider who is already struggling to make ends meet.

    David Abrutyn: How A Name Can Help Transit's Game 2009

  • New York City straphanger Stella Lombardi, on accused bioterrorists Larry Wayne Harris and William Leavitt, responding to rumors that they'd been planning to release a toxic bomb in the city's subway system "" If I don't work hard, I will go to hell, and we already have Stalin and Lenin very well placed there, so they may torture me. ''

    Perspectives 2008

  • UPTOWN -- As we go around a corner, a straphanger t ...

    Six Snapshots From Last Night's Nob Hill Shop & Stroll johnny_mango 2004

  • UPTOWN -- As we go around a corner, a straphanger t ...

    Here's To You, Alexis Knazovich! johnny_mango 2004

  • UPTOWN -- As we go around a corner, a straphanger t ...

    Girl Grapplers Tussle in Pit Wearing Big Brown Outfits and Thongs johnny_mango 2004

  • UPTOWN -- As we go around a corner, a straphanger t ...

    Albloggerque johnny_mango 2004

Comments

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  • alexz commented on the word straphanger

    I suspect this is an East coast term. I haven't heard this in Western Canada.

    July 30, 2013