pony

plural ponies

1. A small horse; specifically, any of several small breeds of horse under 14.2 hands at the withers.

   The pony won three times in one month and as I had backed it on each occasion I collected a ‘bank’ of over £400.

   1933, Frank Clune, Try Anything Once, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 153

   Synonyms: horseling

2. endearingA horse of any size.
3. A contraption built like a mount, strong enough to support one's weight.

   Synonyms: buck

4. regionalA small serving of an alcoholic beverage, especially beer.

   1879, “Some Queer Interviews: Interview with a Pony of Beer”, Puck, Vol. 5–6, p. 435

   3 more examples

   ‘I’m on the inside track,’ said a pony of beer as it went galloping down a man’s throat.

   1885, New York Journal, August

   Demon popped into his mouth a last morsel of black bread with elastic samlet, gulped down a last pony of vodka and took his place at the table with Marina facing him across its oblong length.

   1969, Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor, Penguin, published 2011, page 193

   I did not even know what a ‘pony’, a small chaser of beer, was. But of course I could not admit that. So putting on an air of nonchalance, and a deep voice, I strolled into a pub with one of the other equally naive guys and we ordered two ponies of beer. ‘McEwans?’ asked the barman. ‘Naw - ponies’ said I.

   2010, Dick Lynas, Pies Were for Thursdays: Tales from an Ordinary Glasgow East End Childhood, page 283

5. AustraliaNew South WalesWesternVictoriaA serving of 140 millilitres of beer (formerly 5 fl oz); a quarter pint.
6. UKslangTwenty-five pounds (money).

   1 more example

   “You said a pony,” interposed Clavering; “my dear fellow, you said a pony, and I’ll be eternally obliged to you; and I’ll not take it as a gift—only as a loan, and pay you back in six months. I take my oath, I will.” “Well—well—there’s the money, Sir Francis Clavering. […] Here’s five-and-twenty for you.

   1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 61, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC

7. USslangA translation used as a study aid; loosely, a crib, a cheat-sheet.

   She kept the dates written down in her Latin 'pony', so she didn't have to bother about who it was.

   1931, William Faulkner, Sanctuary, Library of America, published 1985, page 104

8. slangA ponytail hairstyle.

   His hair is a semilong dull red and pulled back in a sloppy pony at the base of his neck, and his face is riddled with small freckles and grease, but out here I can see personal hygiene isn't exactly at the top of the priority list.

   2012, Amlynn Smith, Lost and Found, page 18

9. slangautomotiveOne horsepower.

   How many ponies are under the hood?

10. preceded by definite articleA dance from the 1960s in which the dancer mimics the high-stepping prance of a pony.

    Do the monkey, do the pony / Do the slop, do the boogaloo twist.

    1971, “Suicide Song”, in Loudon Wainwright III (lyrics), Album II, performed by Loudon Wainwright III

11. slangA chorus girl of small stature.

    He suggested a Rose Ballet in which he would use the G. V. Follies chorus girls, chiefly the ponies and mediums.

    1941, Thoda Cocroft, Great Names and how They are Made, page 140

12. abbreviationderogatoryellipsisslangvideo gamesEllipsis of Sony pony.

present singular third person ponies · participle present ponying · participle past ponied · past ponied

1. transitiveTo lead (a horse) from another horse.
2. To use a crib or cheat-sheet in translating.

1. Cockneynot comparableslangSynonym of crap: of little worth.

   Synonyms: crap

1. CockneyslanguncountableSynonym of crap: rubbish, nonsense.

   Synonyms: crap

plural ponies

1. alternativecard gamesAlternative form of pone.

   If the dealer deals himself two cards together and then deals a third, the pony must draw a card at random from the dealer's hand.

   1876, H. E. Heather, Cards and Card Tricks, page 35

1. abbreviationellipsisEllipsis of Pony International, an American brand of athletic gear.
2. abbreviationellipsisEllipsis of My Little Pony, a cartoon media-franchise based on anthropomorphic equines.

   Synonyms: MLP

plural Ponys · plural Ponyes · plural Ponies

1. An athletic shoe or other piece of athletic gear of an American-based brand of that name.