Do you know when the song was written? It refers to the fire, so maybe it was recently after that, and could be considered toddling in the sense of just getting back on its feet. A stretch, I know, but the only thing I can think of.
Well, it was Sinatra who sang it (at least in the best know version). I believe he may have enjoyed the image of Chicago playing little-brother catch up with New York City.
Welcome to the board, Lazlo Hapsburg. I’ve moved your threat to Cafe Society, our forum for the arts, and I’ve modified the thread title so people know about your question.
I find that explanation to be lacking. If the writer does not limit himself to words that would make sense, he has a lot more “t” words at his disposal. Clearly the word had some meaning to the writer.
Ya know, I never thought too deeply about it, but always figured that from context, that Chicago was/is a very classy place. I took the word “toddlin’” - somehow - to mean sipping cocktails with perfect urbanity. The word just sounds classier than “tippling”. Well, sure, I’d never heard the word “toddling” used in any such sense, but whadda I know, I’m one of the rubes.
In context, I always thought it meant, happening, vibrant, alive, lots of things going on. Now, knowing it was written during Prohibition, matched up with the mentions of Billy Sunday (he was against drinking, right?), I guess it was a very subtle nod at alcohol.
I think that’s basically it, although the term isn’t really slang. One of the definitions for the verb “toddle” listed in the OED is “To walk or move with short easy steps; to go leisurely, to saunter, stroll; by playful or familiar meiosis, simply = walk, go”, with quotations going back to 1724.
Verbs are used as adjectives all the time; perhaps you’re familiar with the dance move known as “The Running Man”, or hear the expression “Let sleeping gods lie”? This use is known as the gerundive (verbs used as nouns, such as in the phrase “I like swimming” are known as gerunds). I’d link to the Wikipedia page, but it’s not very good.
To “toddle” means to walk in a casual or leisurely manner. In this context, I’d guess it means Chicagoans are more casual and laid-back than, say, New Yorkers.
“They do things they don’t do on Broadway.”
And from Judy Garland’s cover:
“Free and easy town, brassy, breezy town.”
“Let me cool my heels right down at Marshall Field’s”
“No chi-chi, life is peachy.”