fill your boots?

[danroll]

where does it come from?

[bazza26]

it was in napoloen times a silver inlaid leather flask and was told that in Nelson's time such vessels were known as 'boots'. To have as much wine as they wanted they were told to 'fill your boots'.

[squarebear]

Some people say it dates back to the Cavaliers who wore thigh length boots. When drinking, rather than stepping outside to relieve himself, a Cavalier apparently had the option of doing so into his boots. Thus, "filling his boots" meant he could drink all he wanted without leaving the table.

Apparantely, at the HMS Victory museum in Portsmouth UK, you can buy a thick leather cup lined with pitch. This is a replica of the sailor's mug used on board in Nelson's time, and it was used (among other things) for the rum ration when issued. This cup is called a "boot", and when things were good and you got an extra rum ration, sailors were told "Fill Yer Boots"!

[bazza26]

another theory was the cavekiers had long riding boots and when out drinking they had the option to relieve themselves in thier boots so there for not leaving the table

[danroll]

what a brilliant idea,

i might see about getting me a pair of those lol!

[Quizmonster]

The idea behind �filling your boots' almost certainly dates back to the days when a victorious army would plunder the places they had recently attacked and defeated. Obviously, the soldiers would stuff their pockets, saddle-bags or whatever and then - so as not to miss anything - even their long boots with booty...if you'll forgive the choice of word! Soldiers - particularly cavalrymen - in past times often wore wide thigh-length boots which were quite roomy! That's why we have the modern sense of "take full advantage" when we use the saying.

We see a more modern version of the same idea in the word �bootleg', coined in America to describe illicit goods - ie things you would have to hide from the authorities- especially alcohol - perhaps in the legging part of your boots. This meaning relates to concealment rather than taking advantage.