Quick links
logan
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
Spelling variants:luggin
n. — especially Newfoundland
a type of lace-up boot with a leather leg and a rubber foot (see Image 1).
Type: 1. Origin — The term logan is used to describe a type of lace-up boot that is made of a leather 'leg' (see the 2008 quotation) and rubber soles (see the 1955 quotation) and long criss-crossed laces (see the 1975 quotation). Logans were originally designed to be worn in the wilderness (e.g. hunting, hiking or camping) or in the winter (see the 1937 quotation). The term likely derives from larrigan (see DNE, s.v. "larrigan"), which is described as a type of knee-high moccasin boot made of oiled leather (see ITP Nelson, s.v. "larrigan"). Notably, the etymology of larrigan is listed as "unknown" (see, for example, AHD-5, s.v. "larrigan") or "uncertain" (see Gage-5, s.v. "larrigan"). It is possible that this term is a Newfoundland and Labrador neologism, as it appears in no Canadian or international dictionaries with this specific meaning. The term is today also used by American companies, although boots like this are also called "duck boots" or "Maine hunting shoes".
See also DNE, s.v. "logan".
See also DNE, s.v. "logan".
This term is most often found in the plural form.
Quotations
1937
Logans may be worn in winter; but for long journeys sealskin boots should be worn, especially with snow-shoes.
1939
RECENT ARRIVALS Men's 4 Buckle Felt Gaiters, Sizes Eight & Nines. Men's 15in. Laced Logans Sizes 8, 9, & 10. Men's Logan Bottoms, Sizes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11.
1955
MEN'S LOGANS Just the boot for hiking over the barrens. 12 inch height, leather uppers, rubber vamp, with crepe sole.
1963
Mr. Benton added as musts for camping in Labrador: Oilskins, rubber gloves, sun helmet, jungle hammock, blanket, poncho, sleeping bag, aluminum pot, pocket knife and spoon, "logans," several pairs of woolen socks and an extra pair of socks.
1975
Guy 133 Another piece of footwear much favored by the outharbor juvenile was the logan which consists, essentially, of two refined rubber lumps attached to the knee-length leather uppers. They are secured by means of great yellow laces, six feet or more in length which are crisscrossed through numerous eye-holes and then hitched back and forth through rows of hooks near the top.
1978
If you were to take a poll among Newfoundland Tories even as recently as a month ago, looking for the minister in the Cabinet of Premier Frank Moores most likely to defect. [...] Mr. Lundrigan was a hunting companion who enjoyed lacing up his logans and taking to the barrens with Mr. Moores after partridge or rabbits or moose.
1990
P 215-63 A logan is a big knee-boot with a long tongue. People who talk a lot are said to have as much tongue as a logan.
1990
P 65-64 Luggins are factory-made and have rubber bottoms and leather legs [with laces].
2006
With a great deal of consideration given to the terrain and climate of this province, I accepted Gary's advice and ordered a pair of 12-inch Deer Stalker boots. These Cadillac logans have a list price higher than the cost of my first car, and I was expecting to be walking on a cloud while clad in these beauts.
2008
Like they used to be always coming down in the summer-time looking for old leggings and stuff to put over their logans [a type of boot] and still for in the lumber camps and she used to sew new ones with little, short tongue on them so it would fit the logan. They used to buy logans and take the leather legs off and put seal skin on them because they tie up the tops so snow don't get in you strings you know, see?
References
- DNE
- AHD-5
- ITP Nelson
- Gage-5
Images
