shanks' pony

English

Alternative forms

• shanks's pony, shank's pony, shanks pony

Etymology

The expression, believed to be Scottish in origin, derives from shanks' nag (shanks-naig, attested 1774).

Noun

shanks' pony (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic, UK, Australian) walking as a means of transport.
   • 1999. Richard Thompson, Walking the Long Miles Home (Mock Tudor):

     And the rhythm in my shoes keeps the blues all away

     When you ride Shanks's Pony you don't have to pay

Related terms

• shanks' mare and variants (USA)
• shanks' nag, shank-nag and variants (Scottish)

See also

• Bayard of ten toes
• See Wikisaurus:walk

Translations

walking

Icelandic: (to ride shanks' pony) fara á tveimur jafnfljótum (is), ganga (is)

References

• Shanks' mare, Gary Martin, 2007.