clochard

[ kloh-sherd ]

noun

1. a beggar; vagrant; tramp.

Word History and Origins

Origin of clochard¹

First recorded in 1940–45; from French, derivative of clocher “to limp,” from Latin clopus “lame”

Example Sentences

A leopard fedora can be paired with a long chain, to wear over the shoulder when going in and out of shops, while a clochard has an optional leather corset.

From Seattle Times

The character, played by Michel Simon, is an archetypal French clochard, a kind of Gallic version of Chaplin’s Little Tramp, who, mourning his lost dog, tries to off himself by jumping in the Seine.

From New York Times

A familiar clochard, or bum, stopped by to chat.

From Newsweek

In 2000 he dressed his models like tramps—le look clochard—with newsprint dresses and dangling pots and pans.

From Economist

It has a great performance from Michel Simon as the eponymous noisome clochard rescued from a suicide attempt in the Seine by a kindly Parisian bookseller.

From The Guardian