Members of The Underground Railroad often used specific terms, based on the metaphor of the railway. For example:
- People who helped slaves find the railroad were "agents" (or "shepherds")
- Guides were known as "conductors"
- Free or escaped blacks, sometimes whites, that helped guide fugitives were "abductors"
- Hiding places were "stations"
- "Station masters" hid slaves in their homes
- Escaped slaves were referred to as "passengers" or "cargo"
- Slaves would obtain a "ticket"
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