tom-walkers

n.pl. stilts. Subjects: English

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Citations: 1921 Paul Stevenson Atlanta Constitution (Ga.) (Aug. 6) “‘Tom Walker’ Fad Hits Oakland City; Kids Stepping High” p. 4: What are “Tom walkers,” you say? Why, bless yoru heart, don’t go talking about “stilts” out there in Oakland City. They are “Tom walkers” to everybody and every kid. 1925 Harry Harrison Kroll A Comparitive Study of Upper and Lower Southern Folk Speech (George Peabody College for Teachers, Tenn.) (Aug.) p. 77: Tom-walkers. Stilts. “We been walking on Tom-walkers to-day.” 1961 Jim Baker Coshocton Tribune (Ohio) (Apr. 29) “The American Journal” p. 6: “Tin Can Tom Walkers.” Time was when tin cans were as useful after being emptied as they were before. Yesterday’s children used cans for many playthings—things like “tom walkers.” A good “tromp” collapsed the can firmly around the heel, where it clung tightly until kicked off against a curbstone. 1974 Daily Times-News (Burlington, N.C.) (Apr. 19) p. B15: Kenneth klops around on stilts, or some people still call them Tom-walkers.

Posted 29 Apr 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY THEY ARE CALLED TOM-WALKERS

by WILL BYNUM 23 Jan 06, 0756 GMT

No, sorry, I wasn’t able to determine the origin of the name.

by Grant Barrett 23 Jan 06, 0757 GMT

Tom Slappy invented the tom walkers. My grandmother told me about him today. He would have been my great great great uncle. I believe he was from Georgia. Has anyone found anymore about them online?

by Vicki 12 Aug 07, 0936 GMT

Tom Walker’s probably guys real name. That’s usually how these things go.I used them when I was little, and I am 65. Thye were really cool sounding clunking around on the sidewalks,and I also used them in the dirt in the country. The best part was the noise of course. Was great when we had 3 or 4 of us. Jan

by Jan 12 May 08, 1225 GMT