subs. (popular).—Shoes. [From CRABS, subs., sense 1 (q.v.), + SHELLS, an outer covering.] For synonyms, TROTTER-CASES.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, vol. III., p. 210, ‘Now these ’ere shoes,’ he said … ‘even now, with a little mending, they’ll make a tidy pair of CRAB-SHELLS again.’
1889. Answers, July 20, p. 121, col. 2. The state of my CRABSHELLS, or boots, pointed to the fact that I had come down in the world.
