The vanishing hitchhiker refers to a popular folklore tale where a person hitchhikes and disappears without a trace. There are several synonyms and variations to this phenomenon. One of the most common versions is the ghostly hitchhiker, where a phantom-like figure scares drivers who give them a ride. Another variation is the disappearing traveler, where someone is seen traveling on a road, but vanishes without a trace. The highway ghost and road phantom are additional synonyms to describe the same unexplained phenomena. These myths and legends often have a moralistic message, highlighting the dangers and consequences of not showing kindness and compassion towards strangers.