come-along
n.— «Come along: A ratchet tool that ironworkers use to clamp onto a beam and pull it into place.» —“Chicago Speak” by Anne Keegan Chicago Tribune Feb. 3, 1994. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
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I don’t think that what it’s used for is essential. I’ve known ‘come-along’ as a term for a hand winch for at least 20 years. Our come-along has a 10-12″ handle which turns a ratcheted spool coiled with steel cable terminating with a hook. A second hook is attached to the spool frame. We’ve used it for straightening our garage, sliding heavy objects across a cement surface, holding a tree together, pulling a disabled auto into our driveway, and pulling up a stump.