whistle stop

¹ American  

noun

1. a small, unimportant town, especially one along a railroad line.

2. a short talk from the rear platform of a train, especially during a political campaign.

3. a brief appearance, single performance, or the like, in a small town, as during a political campaign or theatrical tour.

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whistle-stop ² American  

[hwis-uhl-stop, wis-] / ˈʰwɪs əlˌstɒp, ˈwɪs- /

verb (used without object)

whistle-stopped, whistle-stopping

1. to campaign for political office by traveling around the country, originally by train, stopping at small communities to address voters.

2. to take a trip consisting of several brief, usually overnight, stops.

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adjective

1. occurring at a whistle stop; consisting of whistle stops.

   a whistle-stop speech; a whistle-stop tour of the Northwest.

whistle stop British  

noun

1. 1. a minor railway station where trains stop only on signal

   2. a small town having such a station

2. 1. a brief appearance in a town, esp by a political candidate to make a speech, shake hands, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a whistle-stop tour

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verb

1. (intr) to campaign for office by visiting many small towns to give short speeches

Etymology

Origin of whistle stop¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Origin of whistle-stop²

First recorded in 1950–55

Related Words

• circuit
• course
• cruise
• excursion
• expedition
• outing
• road
• round
• swing
• travel
• trek
• trip