2007-01-29 14:30:26 · 7 answers · asked by Judith B 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Detectives were called Gumshoes, including police detectives.
From the Word Detective:
It turns out that the original "gumshoes" of the late 1800's were shoes or boots made of gum rubber, the soft-soled precursors of our modern sneakers... At the turn of the century "to gumshoe" meant to sneak around quietly as if wearing gumshoes, either in order to rob or, conversely, to catch thieves. "Gumshoe man" was originally slang for a thief, but by about 1908 "gumshoe" usually meant a police detective, as it has ever since.
2007-01-29 14:53:00 · answer #1 · answered by Colin M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think there is one of two reasons....and I am not sure which is correct.
Gum soles on shoes are quiet, aka sneaky.
Beat cops on the street stepped in sticky gum on the sidewalks.
Those are my two probably way out in left field guesses.
2007-01-29 22:40:19 · answer #2 · answered by Susie D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It refers to the soft soles on shoes that officers wore. By wearing a soft sole the shoes did not make sounds that would alert people to the officers presence, thereby allowing them to sneak around when required.
When this term was coined the common shoes of the day had hard soles that made sound when worn on hard surfaces
2007-01-29 22:43:01 · answer #3 · answered by aj_reel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the original "gumshoes" of the late 1800's were shoes or boots made of gum rubber, the soft-soled precursors of our modern sneakers... At the turn of the century "to gumshoe" meant to sneak around quietly as if wearing gumshoes, either in order to rob or, conversely, to catch thieves. "Gumshoe man" was originally slang for a thief, but by about 1908 "gumshoe" usually meant a police detective
2007-01-29 22:47:26 · answer #4 · answered by chumpchange 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the shoes they wore had soft spongy soles so they wouldn't be heard. Sort of gum soles. That's why they were called "gum shoes".
2007-01-29 22:40:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gum shoe is used to refer to private investigators. I have never heard it used in reference to regular police officers.
2007-01-30 07:01:19 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure, but it may be that they could spy on their subjects, and not be heard, as they were able to step closer. They had no high tech electronics, only a spy glass, and magnification glass.
2007-01-29 22:44:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋