In ancient days, old boots or shoes were said to hold the good spirit and courage of their owners. Therefore, it was a common belief that an old boot was a good luck charm.

很久以前，据说旧的靴子或鞋子能够留存住其主人的美德和勇气。因此，过去人们通常认为旧靴子是一种幸运符。

For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish.

比如，如果一个渔夫钓上来的不是鱼而是一只旧靴子，人们就会认为，过完这一天的时候，这个渔夫将会捕获大量的鱼，满载而归。

In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands' safe journey. Old boots were also left on the roofs of old houses to fend off evil spirits.

再比如，在英格兰北部，水手的妻子们通常会朝离港的船只扔旧靴子或者旧鞋子，以保佑自己的丈夫平平安安。人们还将旧靴子放在老房子的屋顶上来驱除邪灵。