roots, n.¹ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

roots n.¹

[ghost word: purported rhyming slang term for boots, first recorded in 1941 Baker Popular Dict. Aus. Sl., thence followed by other sources (1944 Maurer & Baker ‘“Aus.” Rhyming Argot’ in AS XIX:3;1960 J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl.). Baker omitted the word from subsequent editions of Popular Dict. Aus. Sl. ]

1. see daisy roots n.

2. (US black) boots or shoes.

2015

P. Beatty Sellout (2016) 105: I remember looking at Foy’s roots, a pair of expensive brown wingtips.

roots n.1

roots n.¹