spindleshanks

[spin-dl-shangks]

noun, plural spin·dle·shanks. (used with a singular or plural verb)

spindlelegs.

Origin of spindleshanks

First recorded in 1560–70; spindle + shank + -s³

Related formsspin·dle-shanked

[spin-dl-shangkt] /ˈspɪn dlˌʃæŋkt/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spindleshanks

Historical Examples of spindleshanks

Perhaps they call you Sheepshanks, or Cruickshanks, or Spindleshanks?
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various
Is your name, perhaps, Sheepshanks Cruickshanks, Spindleshanks?
The Blue Fairy Book
Various
Perhaps you are called Roast-ribs, or Sheepshanks, or Spindleshanks?
Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm
Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm
Compliments are the makeshifts of the elderly to call away attention from their spindleshanks.
A Nest of Linnets
Frank Frankfort Moore