square-toes

[ skwair-tohz ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. an old-fashioned or strait-laced person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of square-toes¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

He paused between photo shoots and looked down at his black leather square-toes.

From New York Times

"I should not have come up, but that I saw that Square-toes there smuggle out the girl, and as no one was looking it seemed natural to follow."

From Project Gutenberg

Several times he faltered, for the devil showed him first all his old friends calling him "Saint" and "Square-toes," and a dozen hard names, and whispered to him that his motives would be misunderstood, and he would only be left alone with the new boy; whereas it was his duty to keep all means of influence, that he might do good to the largest number.

From Project Gutenberg

Come, ould square-toes, take a thimbleful of it, and maybe it'll lead you to a better understanding.

From Project Gutenberg

They have stated that the Rugby undergraduates they remember at the Universities were "a solemn array," "boys turned into men before their time," "a semi-political, semi-sacerdotal fraternity," &c., giving the idea that Arnold turned out a set of young square-toes, who wore long-fingered black gloves and talked with a snuffle.

From Project Gutenberg