An old slang term for a detective or investigator (police-affiliated or private). Variants include "dick" or "private dick," the connotations of which were not meant to be obscene.
Shoes in the late 1800s were made of gum rubber - the soft-soled precursors of the modern sneaker. The phrase "to gumshoe" meant to sneak around quietly as if wearing gumshoes.
"Gumshoe man" was originally slang for "thief," but by about 1908 the term "gumshoe" was used to refer to a police detective, and the term has stuck ever since (pun intended).
Shoes in the late 1800s were made of gum rubber - the soft-soled precursors of the modern sneaker. The phrase "to gumshoe" meant to sneak around quietly as if wearing gumshoes.
"Gumshoe man" was originally slang for "thief," but by about 1908 the term "gumshoe" was used to refer to a police detective, and the term has stuck ever since (pun intended).
Sam Spade, the most well-known gumshoe of noir cinema, spent the majority of The Maltese Falcon trying to solve a murder mystery.
by Redhot in Chi-Town January 23, 2007
The gumshoe pulled up an put a gumshoe clad foot on the ground before the suspect fired a warning shot.
by The Return of Light Joker September 30, 2008
Gumshoes are a version of gumboots (also known as wellingtons, wellies, or rain boots) that are shorter in length and resemble more of a shoe than a boot. They are designed to keep the foot dry in wet conditions that are mild rather than harsh.
Her gumshoes did not protect her feet from the deep squelchy mud. She should have worn gumboots instead.
by Rubyateastercamp June 19, 2018
by talk2me-JCH2 June 6, 2022
A detective or priate investigator.
by Mandyy August 2, 2006
by death by bullets November 24, 2007
In the past, it was once known as a detective or a slueth. Now a slueth has become known as a slut, hence gumshoe! They have the same meaning once again!
Look at that gumshoe in those white pants. What a skank, I bet she'd give it up to anyone that walked by.
by Skizurp June 11, 2003