hitchhiker

• hitch-hiker

From hitchhike +‎ -er.

hitchhiker (plural hitchhikers)

1. A person or thing that hitchhikes.
2. An item attached to a travel bug and hidden in a geocache to be found and transported to other caches or around the world.
3. (preceded by definite article) A dance move in which the dancer mimics the motions of someone thumbing a ride.
4. (informal, botany) A bur that attaches and clings to clothing, or a bur-bearing plant.
5. (radio, advertising) An advertisement at the end of a programme.

   Coordinate term: cowcatcher

   • 1945, Charles Harold Sandage, Radio Advertising for Retailers, page 186:

     […] and networks have taken steps to modify or eliminate the bunching of spots and commercials between programs which results from the use of hitchhikers and cowcatchers.