come-along
n.— «Come along: A ratchet tool that ironworkers use to clamp onto a beam and pull it into place.» —“Chicago Speak” by Anne Keegan Chicago Tribune Feb. 3, 1994. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
We tend to take the index of a book for granted, but centuries ago, these helpful lists were viewed with suspicion. Some even worried that indexes would harm reading comprehension! A witty new book tells the story. Plus, the Latin term bona fides...
A firefighter named Steve in Newport News, Virginia, wonders why in his line of work, and for some police, certain additional kinds of days off after long unbroken shifts are called Kelly days, Kelly shifts, or Kelly time. The term most likely comes...
I don’t think that what it’s used for is essential. I’ve known ‘come-along’ as a term for a hand winch for at least 20 years. Our come-along has a 10-12″ handle which turns a ratcheted spool coiled with steel cable terminating with a hook. A second hook is attached to the spool frame. We’ve used it for straightening our garage, sliding heavy objects across a cement surface, holding a tree together, pulling a disabled auto into our driveway, and pulling up a stump.