On Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:58:06 -0700, Hatunen wrote:


The whole point of using the term "come-a-long" in the field is
to avoid long discussions of context. "A ratchet driven
non-rotating hand operated winch" is just too much. No one in the
field in an occupation using come-a-longs needs andy context to
understand the term.

In British English this appears to be a "Hand Puller (Winch)":

http://www.autow.co.uk/winches/hand_...rices_137.html

http://www.ttclifting.co.uk/lifting/..._p-series.html

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)