Ever found yourself hoofing it to your next destination? Well, if you have, then congratulations – you’ve been riding shank’s mare! This nostalgic expression transports us back to the era of tricorn hats and cobblestone streets, when people delighted in the picturesque, if somewhat laborious, art of walking.
So, what’s in a shank? The term “shank” refers to the leg, and in this delightful phrase, it’s combined with “mare” (a mature female horse), suggesting our legs act as our steeds. Yes, when you’re beating boot leather to get from point A to point B, you’re essentially ‘riding’ your legs. Charming, no?
Similar Expressions 🐾
Who knew walking could be celebrated in so many charming ways? Dive into these walk-in-the-park idioms:
- Pounding the pavement - To walk the streets in determination, often job-hunting.
- Taking a constitutional - An old-fashioned way to describe taking a walk for health.
- Hoofing it - Slang for walking, harkens to the hoofs of an animal, naturally.
- Going on foot - Straightforward and sensible, the pedestrian way.
- Leg it - Another casual and energetic term for skedaddling on foot.
Quotable Quips 🗯️
- “An optimist is someone who, after walking ten miles, really believes he could make it another five.” - Anonymous
- “Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern medicine.” - Carrie Latet
- “The best remedy for a short temper is a long walk.” - Jacqueline Schiff
Proverbial Wisdom 📚
- A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Lao Tzu.
- The longest journey is the journey inward. - Dag Hammarskjold.
- Where there is no footpath, find your own way. - African Proverb.
Recommended Reads 📖
- “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson: An entertaining trek through the Appalachian Trail.
- “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed: A gripping memoir of a young woman finding herself on the Pacific Crest Trail.
- “Walking” by Henry David Thoreau: Reflective and philosophical - a classic.
Musical Companion 🎵
- “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
- “Walk On” by U2
- “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra
Movie Picks 🎬
- “The Way” (2010) - A heartfelt journey along the Camino de Santiago.
- “Forrest Gump” (1994) - Celebrate stages of life and epic walks.
- “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013) - Adventures and walking shoes galore!
Farewell Thought 💫
Next time you lace up your sneakers, visualize your legs as your faithful steeds, ready to take you on life’s journeys, one step at a time. Embrace the art of “riding shank’s mare.” Who knows what adventures await you on foot?
Farewell from Quincy Quipster, where every step writes a unique chapter in the book of life. Keep walking, keep exploring! 🚶♂️🥾
