0

When someone refers to a detective or police officer, they sometimes use the term 'gumshoe'. Where did this term originate from?

Him_Jalpert
  • 281

1 Answers1

3

From etymonline:

gumshoe (n.)
"plainclothes detective," 1906, from the rubber-soled shoes they wore (which were so called from 1863); from gum (n.1) + shoe (n.).

Robusto
  • 151,571
  • The connotation was that (prior to the internet and even telephones) detectives spent a lot of time walking about, "buttonholing" various people to collect information. Rubber-soled shoes were easier on the feet. – Hot Licks Apr 07 '15 at 19:03
  • @HotLicks Yeah, without the shoes he'd turn into a flatfoot – Jim Mack Apr 07 '15 at 19:20
  • @JimMack - Well, actually, he'd wear out too much shoe leather. – Hot Licks Apr 07 '15 at 20:06