shanks's pony: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Humorous, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “shanks's pony” mean?
The human legs as a means of transport.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The human legs as a means of transport; walking.
A humorous or informal reference to traveling on foot, typically when other transport is unavailable or impractical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and immediately recognised in British English. The American equivalent is typically 'shank's mare' or 'shanks' mare'.
Connotations
Whimsical, slightly old-fashioned, and self-deprecating in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in contemporary American English; low but more recognisable in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “shanks's pony” in a Sentence
[Subject] + go/travel/get + by + shanks's ponyOn + [possessive] + shanks's ponyVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal, often nostalgic or jocular conversation, e.g., discussing lack of transport.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shanks's pony”
- Using it in a formal context.
- Incorrect pluralisation ('shanks's ponies').
- Misspelling the possessive ('shanks pony', 'shank's pony').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered quite old-fashioned and is used mainly for humorous or whimsical effect.
It originates from the 18th century, where 'shank' was a slang term for the lower leg, and 'pony' was a metaphor for a means of transport, similar to 'horse'.
No, it is strictly informal and would be considered inappropriate in formal contexts.
The most common equivalent in American English is 'shank's mare'.
The human legs as a means of transport.
Shanks's pony: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃæŋksɪz ˈpəʊni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃæŋks ˈpoʊni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shanks's pony”
- “shank's mare”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person named Shanks whose only 'pony' is his own two legs. No stables, just shanks.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A VEHICLE / LEGS ARE ANIMALS (FOR TRANSPORT).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely meaning of 'shanks's pony' in the sentence: 'The hotel was just a mile away, so we decided to use shanks's pony.'?