Shanks's pony

shank's pony

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

(on) Shanks’s ˈpony

(British English, informal) walking, rather than travelling by car, bus, etc.; on foot: ‘How are we going to get there?’ ‘I suppose it’ll have to be Shanks’s pony.’ You young people go everywhere by car these days. When I was young all we had was Shanks’s pony.
Shanks is an informal word for your legs.
See also: pony
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • shank's pony
  • shank's nag
  • shank’s mare
  • shank's mare
  • Shank
  • by shank's mare
  • mare
  • on shank's pony
  • on Shanks's pony
  • (one's) jollies
References in periodicals archive
The intent is to encourage pupils and parents to forego four-wheel s and opt for Shanks's pony instead, cutting pollution, traffic congestion and parking hassle with one fell swoop while increasing physical activity and social interaction to boot.
Your LIFE: The feet on the bus go step, step, step
We'll troop off to the recycling bins when Charlie starts using Shanks's pony.
ROSIE KANE: It's a bit rich taking green lessons from Royal with 38 cars, pounds 1M jets, and a lorrry for his bags BUT WE SHOULD STILL LISTEN; If destructors of our planet will not toe the line, they should be recyled
Interestingly, the invention also gave birth to the phrase 'Shanks's Pony'.
The Mag: Gardens: It's the cutting edge of design
If not, his passengers may well vote with their feet in favour of bus, car, shanks's pony or even hot-air balloon in order to get to work.
Apology needed for cheap insult
Any road improvements in national parks would have to possess "appropriate standards for the environmental context" - does that mean footpaths for shanks's pony?
Roads lobby shunted out
ALL the hustle and bustle of old Stockton high street is represented in this 1928 photograph, capturing the variety of transport used in that era, ranging from the bus, lorry, bicycle, pram and even Shanks's pony!
Busy life of historic high street captured on film; 14 EVENING GAZETTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 NOSTALGIA Like us on Facebook facebook.com/evening.gazette REMEMBER WHEN www.gazettelive.co.uk/rememberwhen Compiled by Paul Delplanque
So, the loco passenger was forced to use Shanks's Pony to make his journey instead travelling on the Iron Horse.
Let the train take the rein
WHEN cars were a rarity most children went to school by shanks's pony, a good old Yorkshire phrase for 'on their own legs.'
Coach work; A collection of snapshots of the 'happiest days of our lives'
But it was Shanks's pony which carried 14,000 people through the Birkenhead tunnel in the middle of the month.
TIME TO JOIN THE PARADE; 2008 June & July
The single-storey hotel has a prime position among this dramatic beauty, making it an ideal base to soak up the outstanding landscape using shanks's pony.
Devon heaven; WEEKEND: Travel
As well as the train and bus, rusty old bikes have been dug out of garden sheds and Shanks's Pony has suddenly become far more popular.
THAT'S OIL FOLKS; The lighter side of the petrol chaos
Progressing by Shanks's Pony, all arrive at British Consulate in pool of perspiration for sweaty handshakes.
Business Diary: Can Mr Posh spice things up in Geneva?