Dictionary

laptop hobo en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (informal) A heavy user of freely available Wi-Fi and/or power outlets at coffee shops.
   • The "laptop hobo" phenomenon — patrons buying one coffee and spending ensuing hours browsing the Web — is a growing issue with food and beverage operations. 2013 July 5, Steve Raabe, “Colorado coffee shops putting limits on power, Wi-Fi use”, in Denver Post:
   • Real laptop hobos you'll find in the windows of coffee shops up the street that offer free WiFi and unprotected electrical outlets. 2011 September 30, Stephen Quinn, “Hobo with a laptop”, in Globe and Mail:
   • Starbucks started the war on laptop hobos (you know who you are, essay/screenplay/blog writers) who camp for the free Wi-Fi, nurse a single coffee for hours and take up valuable real estate. 2012 January 8, Denise Ryan, “‘Laptop hobos’ face crackdown”, in Vancouver Sun:

Forms