'There's more life in a tramp's vest'

Posted by David FG July 17, 2005In reply to 'There's more life in a tramp's vest' posted by Victora S Dennis on July 17, 2005

Could anyone tell me what is the meaning of the phrase 'There's more life in a tramp's vest'?

The presumption is that a tramp's vest is full of insect life, e.g. lice, fleas and so on.

And by extension, the person referred to is completely lifeless: idle, unenthusiastic, lethargic or whatever: the usual phrase (in my experience) being 'I've seen more life in a tramp's vest'.

DFG