Definition of baby buggy

The term "baby buggy" originated in the late 19th century as a marketing gimmick by the Stoker Parseh Cot Company, a British manufacturer of infant carriages. Prior to this time, upper-class infants were typically transported in a variety of carriers, ranging from simple baskets to bulky cabinets with wheels, known as "perambulators." To distinguish their product from the competition, Stoker applied for a trademark for the term "Baby Buggy," which they claimed related to the "lively, vivacious, bouncing" movement of the carriage as it rolled along. The trademark was approved, and the term soon entered common usage, shortening to "buggy" in the United States and "pram" in the United Kingdom. The popularity of the baby buggy coincided with cultural changes in urbanization, maternal health, and infant care. As more women gave birth in hospitals and left domestic service to work outside the home, the need for portable infant conveyances in crowded city streets increased. The streamlined design and portability of the Stoker Baby Buggy allowed mothers to easily maneuver their babies around town, while also providing a semblance of style and prestige. Today, the term "buggy" or "pram" may connote a traditional-style, non-reversible stroller, while "stroller" refers to a modern-day device designed for practical use, such as jogging or off-roading. Nevertheless, the legacy of the Baby Buggy lives on in the expression "out for a buggy ride" or "pram walk," which evoke images of a traditional stroll with a new mother and baby.