Dictionary

boot boy en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From boot + boy.

Meanings

1. A boy who cleans boots and shoes.
2. (qualifier:1970s UK slang) One of a gang of violent hooligans who usually wear short-cropped hair and bovver boots.
   • He's [Enda Kenny] acting like a political thug and a political boot boy in a party political fashion. 2013 June 28, Fiach Kelly, Lise Hand, Fionnan Sheahan, quoting Niall Collins, “Shatter urges ex-FF ministers to reveal contacts with Anglo”, in Irish Independent:
3. (UK) A boy who cares for a footballer's boots.
   • Among Bryan Gunn's myriad incarnations, from Alex Ferguson's babysitter through Scotland goalkeeper to Norwich manager, boot boy to Alex McLeish was one of the less successful. Once, just before a Scottish Cup final, McLeish discovered his size 10s were still in Aberdeen. 2009 March 22, Phil Shaw, “Gunn peppers Birmingham's automatic promotion hopes”, in The Guardian:

Forms

Synonyms

hooligan · bovver boy · skinhead