A boy or young man employed to clean and shine boots, especially in hotels, military barracks, or large households; also, a derogatory British term for a member of a right-wing youth gang.
'Boot' (footwear) + 'boy' (young male). The first sense is straightforward occupational vocabulary from the 18th-19th centuries. The second sense (1960s-70s British youth subculture) borrowed the term to describe 'bovver boys' or violent youth gang members.
The same word transformed from a humble servant job to slang for fascist youth gangs in 1970s Britain—a stunning example of how the same word can gain completely opposite connotations through cultural shifts.
Boot boys were historically male youth in fascist and skinhead subcultures; the term assumes maleness and carries connotations of organized male violence.
Use 'boot youth' or avoid the term entirely when discussing subcultures or youth gangs. Specify actual role if applicable.
["boot youth","youth gang member","subculture participant"]
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