boot boy

plural boot boys · alternative boot-boy

1. A boy who cleans boots and shoes.
2. 1970s UK slangOne of a gang of violent hooligans who usually wear short-cropped hair and bovver boots.

   He's [Enda Kenny] acting like a political thug and a political boot boy in a party political fashion.

   2013 June 28, Fiach Kelly, Lise Hand, Fionnan Sheahan, quoting Niall Collins, “Shatter urges ex-FF ministers to reveal contacts with Anglo”, in Irish Independent

   Synonyms: bovver boy, hooligan, skinhead

3. UKball gamesA boy who cares for a footballer's boots.

   Among Bryan Gunn's myriad incarnations, from Alex Ferguson's babysitter through Scotland goalkeeper to Norwich manager, boot boy to Alex McLeish was one of the less successful. Once, just before a Scottish Cup final, McLeish discovered his size 10s were still in Aberdeen.

   2009 March 22, Phil Shaw, “Gunn peppers Birmingham's automatic promotion hopes”, in The Guardian