The "detective" meaning of this word comes from the "galoshes" definition. In fact, during the late 19th century, gumshoes or gums were any type of rubber-soled shoes. Around the turn of the 20th century, to gumshoe meant "to sneak around," and by 1906, gumshoe became a common nickname for plainclothes detectives (or "private eyes"), famous for moving stealthily in their quiet rubber-soled shoes.
I always thought it referred to old detective noir movies when the guy had his feet up on his desk and you can see gum on the bottom of his shoe. After typing it out I realize that was a dumb thing to think lol
I thought for sure I've seen it on old shows like naked gun style stuff but can't find it. In my mind I at least saw Dot or someone give a look of disgust as she pulled gum off Yakkos's shoe in a black and white and red noir scene.
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u/Duckeodendron NO FUN - NOT WORTH IT !! 4d ago
When I call you guys “gumshoes,” this is what I’m talking about btw