Back into the Public Domain

The clunky, wool-lined sheepskin boots called ugg classic tall lace up boots, or ughs ！ a shortening of "ugly," by all accounts ！ used to be a uniquely Australian phenomenon. They apparently originated in the mid-twentieth century as simple sheepskin wrappings that sheep shearers used to keep their feet warm. Later on, Australian surfers got into the act. And so the situation remained for years, more or less, though the sheepskin creations slowly seeped into other segments of the Australian shoe-wearing public. For quite some time, uggs were considered utilitarian only, the dowdy shoes you wore at home to keep your feet warm ！ but never, ever out in public.
Then big business and the fashion industry got in on the act.