Dictionary

spindleshanks en · NOUN

Etymology

From spindle + shanks.

Meanings

1. (archaic, derogatory) A thin, lanky person with long legs.
   • “If I chose,” said she, “to remain a spinster, is that any reason why every bespectacled spindleshanks sitting under an outrageous sign should remark upon it?” “Spindleshanks?” said I. “Am I to understand that you refer to me as Spindleshanks?" "You are," she said, shortly. “I may not,” said I, with dignity, “have the lower extremities of a Grecian athlete in marble, but I assure you that, such as they are, my limbs are ample for my proportions. 1918, Clarence Budington Kelland, Harper's Magazine - Volume 136:

Forms

Relateds

spindly · spindle-shanked · spindle-legged

Synonyms

thin person · spindlelegs