subs. (old).—1. A hard trotting horse: see BONE-SETTER.
2. (cycling).—An ‘ordinary,’ as distinguished from a ‘safety,’ a type of bicycle in use prior to the introduction of india-rubber tyres and other manifold improvements.
1889. Answers, Feb. 23, 195, 1. Among those who learnt to BONESHAKE was Charles Dickens, who, had he lived, would have been a devoted cyclist.
1874. A. HOWARD, Bicycle, 10. In 1870 and 1871, the low, long BONE-SHAKER began to fall in public esteem.
1884. G. L. HILLIER, in Longman’s Magazine, March, 487. The BONE-SHAKER, as the ribald cyclist of the present day designates the ancestor of his present bicycle.
1885. Nineteenth Century, Jan., 92. In the Field’s report of the performance of the Cambridge Town Bicycle Club we find this entry: ‘Half Mile Race on BONE-SHAKERS, not exceeding 36 in.’
1901. Troddles, 44. Fetch out your trusty untamed steeds, furbish up your BONE-SHAKERS, and come along of I. I have got invitations to the meet at Wimbledon.
