Page "Caboose" Paragraph 44

Of all the implements of railroading, none has had more nicknames than the caboose.

Many are of American or Canadian origin and seek to describe the vehicle or its occupants in derisive ways.

Often heard among crews was " crummy " ( as in a crummy place to live, not elegant, often too hot or too cold, and perhaps not especially clean ), " clown wagon ", " hack ", " waycar ", " dog house ", " go cart ", " glory wagon ", " monkey wagon " ( a term that indirectly insulted the principal functionary who rode therein, no doubt coined by an engineer ), " brain box " ( the conductor was supposedly the brains of the train, as opposed to the " hogger " or engineer, who was presumed to be pigheaded ), " palace ", " buggy " ( Boston & Maine / Maine Central ), " van " ( eastern and central Canada, usage possibly derived from the UK term for the caboose ), and " cabin ", or a variation heard at least on the Southern Railway, " cab ".

There were others, as well, some too profane to appear in print.