What is "boot boy"

n. 1 (context C19 British English) A boy who cleans boots and shoes. 2 (context 1970s British slang English) One of a gang of violent hooligans who usually wear short-cropped hair and bovver boots. 3 (context British English) A boy who cares for a footballer's boots.

A boot boy, often simply boots, was an English household servant. Usually a boy or young teenager, the boots was the lowest-ranking male servant; his main job was to clean, polish and care for the household members' boots and shoes, although he may have done other odd jobs as well, particularly in smaller houses where he may have also performed the duties of the hallboy.

The term is used in association football, to refer to apprentices looking after the football boots of senior professionals.