N (plurale tantum). Men's shoes or
boots with very pointed toes, such as were
popular with male delinquents in the 60s, such as Chelsea
boots, Beatle boots, or lesser known makes with even pointier toes. Synonym: fenceclimbers; cockroach killers. Etymology: All three terms refer to humble uses for pointy toes--picking your nose, climbing chain link fences, killing cockroaches taking refuge in a corner. Usage note: In many areas, the term was embellished with group or ethnic names or slurs.
I've been looking for years for a pair of nosepickers at
vintage shops but so far I haven't found anything
like the ones the guys had in the back of the bus in
NYC when I was a kid.