Search from various English teachers...
loulou703
what does "herring boxes without topses"mean? does "Clementine"a name of a girl?
The strangest thing about the girl was the flip-flops. She had feet as long and thin as Vinnie's whole arm, and instead of shoes or sneakers, she wore rubber flip-flops with bright orange thongs. Extending beyond the thongs were long, tan toes, the toenails slathered with bright purple polish.
Vinnie stared. All she could think of was Daddy singing:
"Herring boxes without tops-es
Sandals were for Clementine
The flip-flop girl, again like Vinnie, was alone on the playground. While Vinnie gawked—she couldn't for the life of her pull her eyes away—the tall girl took a piece of chalk out of her pocket and calmly drew the outline of a hopscotch ladder. Then she pocketed the chalk, stepped out of the flip-flops, pitched a small stone into the first square, and began to hop, like a solo ballerina who has the whole stage to herself.
Sep 24, 2015 3:59 AM
Answers · 6
> what does "herring boxes without topses"mean?
It is poetic language. A box of fish (herring) without a top. In correct English it would be "herring boxes without tops", but topses is a cute way to make it rhyme. Since it is a song it is better if it rhymes.
> does "Clementine"a name of a girl?
* Is Clementine the name of a girl?
Yes
September 24, 2015
No Clementine is a man's name
and in a cavern in a canyon is slang for a male's rear end
Miner 49er is also a slang term for oral sex against another male.
And Herring boxes without tops has is wearing chaps and no pants
July 4, 2020
Herring boxes without topses
Sandals were for Clementine
is from an American folk song Oh My Darling Clementine, Clementine had big feet like the girl in the story, so no shoes for either of them, sad.
September 24, 2015
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
loulou703
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French
Learning Language
English, French
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
11 likes · 8 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
10 likes · 4 Comments
More articles