E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Boots.
Seven-leagued boots. The boots worn by the giant in the fairy tale, called The Seven-leagued Boots. These boots would stride over seven leagues at a pace.
1
I measure five feet ten inches without my boots. The allusion is to the chopine or high-heeled boot, worn at one time to increase the stature. Hamlet says of the lady actress, “You are nearer heaven than when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine.” (ii. 2.)
