bootblacks

Old men in flat caps and fox-fur collars gather to discuss the latest grim economic news, while waiting for a €1 shoe shine from the bootblacks working beneath a fragment of the city's medieval ramparts.

Within Portugal's Cradle Paul Ames 2012

In this ancient place "where the wars [of the past] outnumbered the streets" and "even the bootblacks speak seven languages," a 40-year-old, unmarried senior police official named Constantine "Costa" Zannis is in charge of discreetly handling criminal and political matters too delicate for official channels.

Stealth and Daring 2010

Not every one I've ever had but I am captivated by bootblacks--a bit of a dying trade these days--and I've written two or three stories about them.

Sparing no expense: Reimbursements to remember John Kelly 2009

Not every one I've ever had but I am captivated by bootblacks -- a bit of a dying trade these days -- and I've written two or three stories about them.

Sparing no expense: Reimbursements to remember 2009

And there was a nationwide shortage of bootblacks.

"Adventures in Identity Politics." Ann Althouse 2008

He was immediately drawn into the world of impoverished young bootblacks, newspaper boys, and peddlers.

McDonald's Debut ~~louise~~ 2008

He was immediately drawn into the world of impoverished young bootblacks, newspaper boys, and peddlers.

Archive 2008-04-01 ~~louise~~ 2008

Two bootblacks became wide-eyed and rushed for her feet.

Flappers and Philosophers 2003

I was walking along briskly, dodging bootblacks, pen pushers returning from their midmorning coffee, lottery vendors, and a whole ballet of street sweepers who seemed intent on polishing the streets, using their brooms like paintbrushes, unhurriedly and with a pointillist's strokes.

The Shadow of the Wind Zafon, Carlos Ruiz 2001

To the south lived the poor, the maids and laborers, bootblacks and newspaper boys, flower peddlers and taxi drivers, those who sold lottery tickets and all those who ran the hundreds of minor rackets that somehow kept hunger at bay.

One River Wade Davis 1996