🚶♂️ Shank’s Mare: Strolling Through Time 🚶♀️
“Walking” or “On foot”—a phrase brimming with simplicity and nostalgia. This quaint expression has been trodding along since the latter part of the eighteenth century. The term “shank’s mare” charmingly refers to the leg (shank), likening one’s own legs to a horse used for transportation, symbolizing the simplicity and reliability of walking.
Related Terms & Expressions
- Hoof it 🐴: Implies walking or hurrying along on foot.
- Leg it 🚶♂️: To move quickly by running or walking.
- Footslog 🥾: Walk laboriously, especially over rough terrain.
- Trek 🚶♀️: A long arduous journey, typically on foot.
- Ambulate 🚶: To walk from place to place.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Strolling, marching, hiking, rambling, sauntering.
Antonyms: Driving, riding, flying.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Walking isn’t a lost art—one must, by some means, get to the garage.” — Evan Esar
- “I thought I was attractive. Turns out I just needed more sleep and a longer walk in the woods.” — Interweb Wisdom
Proverbs & Common Phrases
- Take the high road: To act with moral integrity.
- One step at a time: Handle responsibilities progressively rather than all at once.
Literature, Songs, and Movies
Literature
- “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson: A humorous account of a delightful (and sometimes grueling) trek along the Appalachian Trail.
- “The Odd Women” by George Gissing: Featuring lots of urban walking amidst social commentary.
Songs
- “Walk On” by U2: An anthem about perseverance and endurance.
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves: The quintessential feel-good, upbeat walking song.
Movies
- “Forrest Gump”: Forrest’s nationwide running (and walking) tour aligns with life’s journey metaphor.
- “The Way”: Explores the significance of walking the Camino de Santiago and the personal transformations it can trigger.
Inspirational & Thought-Provoking Farewell:
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir
### Which expression also refers to traveling on foot?
- [x] Shank's mare
- [ ] Riding the iron horse
- [ ] Piloting the skies
- [ ] Driving the tin can
> **Explanation:** "Shank's mare" means traveling on foot, using your own legs rather than any form of mechanical transport.
### Which synonym could replace "on foot"?
- [ ] Flying
- [ ] Driving
- [ ] Sailing
- [x] Hoofing it
> **Explanation:** "Hoofing it" is a colloquial term for walking, which makes it a suitable synonym for traveling "on foot".
### True or False: "Leg it" is an idiom meaning to paint new legs.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Leg it" actually means to move swiftly, usually on foot. It doesn't involve painting legs at all!
