shank's mare

shank's mare

One's legs and feet, used for walking; travel by foot. A reference to the shank— the lower leg between the knee and the ankle—and the use of ponies or horses for travel. (Also seen as "shanks' mare.") My bicycle fell apart three miles away from home, so I had to use shank's mare to go the rest of the way. Unfortunately, with the sedentary lifestyle many lead today, shank's mare has largely become an obsolete mode of travel.
See also: mare
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

shank's mare

Fig. travel on foot. You'll find that shank's mare is the quickest way to get across town. Is there a bus, or do I have to use shank's mare?
See also: mare
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

shank’s mare

n. foot travel. (Old. Lacking a horse, one uses the legs. This does not refer to a person named shank.) You’ll find that shank’s mare is the quickest way to get across town.
See also: mare
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

shank's mare

On foot, walking. This quaint expression dates from the second half of the eighteenth century, the shank here alluding to the leg. Also put as to ride shank’s mare, it continues to be used, although it may be heard less often. The Cleveland Plain Dealer had it (Oct. 26, 1974): “The people who came to the Barons-Rangers game that night long ago came by streetcar and bus and by shank’s mare as well as by auto.”
See also: mare
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

shank's mare

Walking. “Shank” is another word for shinbone. By extension, its use in the phase refers to our legs. “Mare” here is equine transport, and when we walk, we “ride” on shank's mare.
See also: mare
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • shank’s mare
  • Shank
  • by shank's mare
  • mare
  • shank's pony
  • Shanks's pony
  • shank's nag
  • on shank's pony
  • on Shanks's pony
  • (one's) jollies
References in periodicals archive
My Kiwi shank's mare safari was a memorable experience.
Shank's mare Safari: easy hunts can be bought, but the personal satisfaction of doing it the hard way cannot
Out there on Shank's mare, I think about what I'm reading or writing, which is one of the things I really like--it's portable.
What makes a good funeral? The editors interview Thomas Lynch. (Special Fall Book Section)
* You came by car, plane, and RV, some of you by shank's mare. In all, 23,000 of you came to Celebration Weekend at Sunset last May Well, we're doing it again this year.
Celebrate summer with us
Among the performances: Tom Lee's Shank's Mare, employing the Kuruma Ningyo puppetry of Japan; the musicians of Orkes Sinten Remen, transforming traditional folk music; Phare: The Cambodian Circus, presenting Khmer Metal; Tao Dance Theatre, one of China's premier companies; and three solo performers--Ronnarong Khampa, Peni Candra Rini and Jen Shyu.
Kay Kipling's arts and entertainment calendar
In India, where transportation choices for many have tended to consist of mopeds, bicycles or shank's mare, the enthusiastic reception consumers have given Tata Motors' diminutive new Nano is a telling gauge of changing lifestyles in developing countries.
World's cheapest car kicks up dust in India