Etymology

well-heeled

Today it means: Affluent, prosperous, or even (of the highest degree) rich. Full definition →

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The story

Originally American English, from a literal use in cockfighting: a well-heeled cock was provided with sharp spurs and could inflict maximum damage. From this developed the American frontier slang sense of being well-equipped, and thence the modern sense of being well supplied with money.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.