Learn English – the etymology and meaning of “fill your boots”

etymologymeaning

I have a colleague of whom this is a favorite phrase, used in the sense of "knock yourself out", "go for it", "have at it", "go to town", "help yourself". ("You want to add that feature to the software? Go ahead – fill your boots!")

So far, the best origin story I've heard is that of "when plundering, using every available container – i.e., even your boots". It feels as though there may be more to it than this, but I've not discovered it yet. What say?

Best Answer

A quick search yielded

At the HMS Victory museum in Portsmouth UK, you can buy a thick leather cup lined with pitch. This is a replica of the sailor's mug used on board in Nelson's time, and it was used (among other things) for the rum ration when issued. This cup is called a "boot", and when things were good and you got an extra rum ration, sailors were told "Fill Yer Boots"!