Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Usage examples of "step-ladder".
Jacko sententiously, and he leant so far back on the top of his step-ladder that Martyn hurriedly grasped it.
Jake was not above sleeping in or goldbricking while his wife bore the burden of feeding their step-ladder of seven kids.
Outside, between the barn and the ranch houses one could see a group of men on step-ladders lighting the festoons of Japanese lanterns.