As a noun, the heel is the back part of your foot or the back, bottom part of a shoe. As a verb, especially with dogs, to heel means to walk close behind or beside a person’s foot.
From Old English “hēla” or “hēl,” referring to the back of the foot. It is related to words in other Germanic languages with the same meaning.
The command “heel!” for dogs literally tells them to stay by your heel, not just near you. The heel is such a symbol of following that we even talk about “down-at-heel” people for those whose shoes—and lives—look worn out.
'High heels' have been strongly gendered as feminine in modern fashion, and language around heels has often sexualized or judged women based on footwear. Historically, heels were worn by men as well, but that history is less widely known.
Avoid using 'heels' as shorthand for women or femininity, and do not assume someone's gender or professionalism based on wearing or not wearing heels.
["shoe","footwear","high-heeled shoes"]
When discussing dress codes or fashion, note how women and gender minorities have challenged restrictive or painful footwear expectations in workplaces and schools.
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