Originating in the military, this derogatory but affectionate term describes a newcomer who lacks practical field experience. They are easily identified by their pristine gear, rigid adherence to textbook procedures, and general confusion on the shop floor. Veterans usually assign them menial tasks and subject them to mild hazing until they learn the unwritten rules of the job.
Hand the broom to the new boot and tell him to sweep the motor pool until it rains.
Never trust a boot to work unsupervised on critical hardware; they know enough theory to be dangerous but lack the muscle memory to do it right.
Related terms
Same word, different worlds
Field-built geomembrane sleeve that seals a liner around a pipe or other penetration.
Sealants & WaterproofingA preformed or field-built collar that seals a pipe, rod or conduit where it passes through a membrane.
Mechanical Engineering & MachineryA flexible protective cover that seals a moving joint or shaft against contamination.