Meaning of Hoover blanket | Babel Free

Definitions

Old newspaper or cardboard, used by a homeless person to cover themselves for warmth, especially during the Great Depression.

US, dated, historical

Examples

“The shantytowns where homeless thousands dwelled were called Hoovervilles; newspapers used as blankets by men who were forced to sleep on park benches were Hoover blankets; a pocket turned inside out was a Hoover flag […]”

“The newly unemployed stood in breadlines and slept on park benches under Hoover blankets made of newspaper.”

“Poverty became a way of life for 40 million Americans as laid off workers roamed the streets sleeping under Hoover 'blankets' - old newspapers. By 1933 the number of unemployed would mount to between 13 and 15 million […]”

“Hoovervilles dotted the American landscape, men slept under newspapers or "Hoover blankets," and kept the money they did't have in turned-out pockets […]”

“... country—who were out of work, penniless, embarrassed, immobilized in sheer desperation, standing slumped, hollow-eyed, in long breadlines, begging or selling apples, sleeping under frayed overcoats or under Hoover blankets on streets ...”

“[Even witnessing people] hollow-eyed, in breadlines that stretched block after block, covering themselves at night with newspapers they called “Hoover blankets,” the president was stunningly unwilling to reach out to desperate Americans.”

“People who spent the night on park benches covered by newspapers said they were sleeping under “Hoover blankets.””

“"Or living under a Hoover blanket in Central Park. A whole lot of folks there at night. Cold. Scary." "A Hoover blanket?" I was confused. He laughed. "Cardboard."”

CEFR level