shoehorns

Noun

shoehorn (plural shoehorns)

1. A smooth tool that assists in putting the foot into a shoe, by sliding the heel in after the toe is in place.
2. (derogatory) Anything by which a transaction is facilitated; a medium.
   • I was about sixty feet ahead of this film in many spots, which speaks rather poorly for it. And I resented the heartthrobs which were planted in my bosom with a shoehorn via the "little child" process.1935, Don Herold, Going to the Movies, Life Magazine January 1935.
3. (obsolete) Anything which draws on or allures; an inducement.
   • Now you cannot but observe, that most of our fine young Ladies readily fall in with the Direction of the Graver sort, to retain in their Service, by some small Encouragement, as great a Number as they can of supernumerary and insignificant Fellows, which they use like Whiflers, and commonly call...1652, Richard Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy

See all 6 meanings of shoehorn