Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US Und.) shoes.

1929		C.G. Givens ‘Chatter of Guns’ in Sat. Eve. Post 13 Apr.; list extracted in AS VI:2 (1930) 131: barkers, n. Shoes.
1950		Goldin et al. DAUL 23/2: Barker [...] 2. (PI.) Shoes; feet.

2. (US black) tight, painful shoes.

1944

‘Jiver’s Bible’ in D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive.