Do not think that rudeness, rudeness, arrogance, insolence appeared precisely with the invention of such a form of transport as the tram. However, it is fair to assume that this negative social phenomenon (rudeness) clearly revealed itself when people had to start moving around in public transport, snuggling close to each other, breathing down the back of their heads, stepping on their feet.
Imperial and even revolutionary Russia was characterized by individual modes of transport, in contrast, for example, to Europe, where in the 17th century special carts for ordinary people were implemented, which were accommodated by 5-7 people in one carriage. Russian people have historically not been accustomed to being close to other people in transport, so the appearance of the tram not only aroused curiosity, but also generated a wave of mutual negativity between fellow travelers.
The classical etymology of the expression "tram ham" is a rude, ill-mannered person.
The history of the traffic collapse
It is believed that the very phrase "tram ham" appeared in the 20-30s of the last century. The strong stratification of society by social class and level of education, which did not prevent the transfer from individual horse-drawn carriages to cheaper and less comfortable tram transport, made it possible to draw a clear parallel between the intelligentsia and workers, who, as they said during the Soviet era, “harbored class dislike for all signs of bourgeois behavior. " It was then that the phrase about the tram boor became relevant.
Over time, trams changed buses and trolleybuses, high-speed trains and fixed-route taxis were launched, but the expression remained unchanged and, unfortunately, did not lose its original meaning, despite the fact that the level of culture and education of the population was theoretically supposed to increase significantly.
The first trams were in great demand as one of the cheapest and fastest modes of transport: people hung on the footboards, literally clinging to the air, just to get to the necessary stop, actively pushing their elbows, making their way to the exit. The witty people, accustomed to strong words and capacious bright phrases, give rise to the apt and deep phrase "tram ham".
Outside the tram
Times and people have changed. Since the 60s of the last century, public transport has become less congested, it has become possible to be more polite and attentive to each other. However, it is striking that even today the angry looks of disgruntled fellow travelers and often not the most correct behavior force even educated people to become a "tram boor", protecting their space.
The first tram cars appeared in mines, at the beginning of the 19th century they migrated to the streets in the form of public transport, and in 1881 they received electric traction instead of horse traction.
Today, tram boors can be found not only in crowded public transport, sometimes they drive very respectable Mercedes cars and occupy very high-ranking positions, having a good education and status in society. However, sometimes you just want to shout from the bottom of your heart after the impudent, impunity insolent: "tram boor"!
