Boot

Boots are a type of footwear that completely cover the foot and extend to a varying degree up the leg.

Types of Boots[edit]

• Work boots - Tough working footwear that are usually made of leather, have a tough sole with a deep tread and often has a steel toe for extra protection.
• Combat Boots - High-ankled work boots worn by soldiers.
• Bovver boots - A type of combat boot with an air-cushioned sole, especially those made by Dr Martens, popular amongst skinheads, and other antisocial elements.^[1]
• Cowboy Boots - Traditional American footwear, usually fashioned out of cowhide leather, have pointed toes, and are slipped onto the foot.
• Motorcycle Boots - Similar to work boots but often with steel plates.
• Fashion Boots - A type of boot in vogue, generally expensive and designed with aesthetic value taking precedence over practicality.
• Rubber boots - Also known as Wellington boots, these boots are waterproof and are most often made from rubber or a synthetic equivalent. They are usually worn when walking on wet or muddy ground, or to protect the wearer from heavy showers. In Britain and New Zealand, there is a light-hearted sport, known as wellie wanging, which involves throwing Wellington boots as far as possible. The boots, especially Black Rubber, are also popular items among many people.

Kipling's poem[edit]

Boots is also the title of a well-known poem by Rudyard Kipling. It begins:

We're foot—slog—slog—slog—sloggin' over Africa—

Foot—foot—foot—foot—sloggin' over Africa

(Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again!)

There's no discharge in the war!^[2]

Every stanza ends with the rhythmic, repetitive refrain "Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again!/There's no discharge in the war!" The tune was written by the Australian bass-baritone, Peter Dawson, and can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZNs13zu7qQ

Notes and references[edit]

1. ↑ http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/boot.html#bovver
2. ↑ Boots, by Rudyard Kipling