"idler, person who loafs," 1830, of uncertain origin, often regarded as a variant of land loper (1795), a partial loan-translation of German Landläufer "vagabond," from Land "land" + Läufer "runner," from laufen "to run" (see leap, v.). But OED finds this connection "not very probable." As a type of shoe, 1937. Related: Loafers.