whistle stop

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.
Origin
1920-25, Americanism

whistle-stop

[hwis-uh l-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.
adjective
3.
occurring at a whistle stop; consisting of whistle stops:
a whistle-stop speech; a whistle-stop tour of the Northwest.
Origin
1950-55
British Dictionary definitions for whistle stop

whistle stop

noun
1.
(US & Canadian)
  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
verb -stops, -stopping, -stopped
3.
(intransitive) to campaign for office by visiting many small towns to give short speeches
Slang definitions & phrases for whistle stop

whistle stop

noun phrase

A small town

[1934+ Railroad; fr the fact that the train does not regularly stop at such a town, or stops only when signaled by a whistle]