Hobos are shoulder bags. Shoulder bags is more of a general term. A tote could be a shoulder bag also.
Hobos are generally slouchy, but can be more structured also. Generally it has one strap and is meant for shoulder use only. It's not really a hobo if you can't wear it on your shoulder.
the term came from the actual word hobo:
ho·bo
/ˈhoʊ
boʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[
hoh-boh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, plural -bos, -boes. 1.a tramp or vagrant. 2.a migratory worker.
these "migratory workers" would take a large piece of fabric and tie it into a bundle, place it on the end of a stick and this is how they would carry their belongings from place to place.
at least... this is what they taught me at FIT...
so who knows!