Middle English sho, "low-cut covering for the human foot," from Old English scoh, from Proto-Germanic *skokhaz (source also of Old Norse skor, Danish and Swedish sko, Old Frisian skoch, Old Saxon skoh, Middle Dutch scoe, Dutch schoen, Old High German scuoh, German Schuh, Gothic skoh). No known cognates outside Germanic, unless it somehow is connected with PIE root *skeu- "cover" (source also of second element in Latin ob-scurus).

The old plural form shoon lasted until 16c. The meaning "metal plate or rim nailed to the hoof of a horse or beast of burden to protect it from injury" is attested from c.1300. The distinction between shoe and boot (n.) is attested from c. 1400.

To stand in someone's shoes "see things from his or her point of view" is attested from 1767. Old shoe as a type of something worthless is attested from late 14c.

Shoes tied to the fender of a newlywed couple's car preserves the old custom (mentioned from 1540s) of throwing an old shoe at or after someone to wish them luck. Perhaps the association is with dirtiness, on the "muck is luck" principle.

"put shoes on; provide (someone or something) with a shoe or shoes," Middle English shon, from Old English scogan "to shoe," from the root of shoe (n.). In reference to horses from c. 1200. Related: Shoed; shoeing; shod.

1895, noun and adjective, in reference to a polish given to the shoes, especially by one who does so for pay; from shoe (n.) + shine (n.). Shoe-shine boy is attested by 1906. Earlier names for one who cleans and polishes shoes or boots for money include shoeblacker (1755), also shoeblack (1778), and shoeboy (1724).

also snowshoe, "contrivance attached to the foot to enable the wearer to walk on deep snow without sinking in at every step," 1670s, from snow (n.) + shoe (n.). Related: Snowshoes. Snow-boot is attested from 1773.

"leather for the making of shoes," 1660s, from shoe (n.) + leather (n.).

also over-shoe, "a shoe worn over another," especially "an outer waterproof shoe," 1829, from over- + shoe (n.). Related: Overshoes.

also shoe-lace, "shoe string; length of lace used to draw together and fasten the sides of a shoe via eyelets," 1640s, from shoe (n.) + lace (n.).An older word for the thong or lace of a shoe or boot was Middle English sho-thong, Old English scoh-þwang.

also shoe-string, "string used to draw the sides of a shoe together and hold it firmly on the foot," 1610s, from shoe (n.) + string (n.). As figurative for "a small amount" it is recorded from 1882; hence, as an adjective, "operating at little cost" (1890). As a type of necktie from 1903; as a style of cooked potatoes from 1906.

also shoe-horn, "curved implement used at the heel in slipping on a shoe," 1580s, from shoe (n.) + horn (n.); earlier shoeing-horn (mid-15c.). They were originally made of horn.

lively Alpine folk dance, 1874, from German Schuhplattler, from schuh "shoe" (see shoe (n.)) + south German dialectal plattler, from platteln "to dance."