noun
tabi covers; protective overshoes for tabi
Rare historical term for a covering worn over tabi (split-toed socks) to keep them clean, especially in wet or dirty conditions. Cross-referenced with 足袋 (tabi).
See also: 足袋
昔の旅人は、雨の日に世知弁足袋を履いて足袋を汚れから守った。
Travelers in the old days wore tabi covers on rainy days to protect their tabi from getting dirty.
足袋 are the split-toed socks themselves, while 世知弁足袋 is a rare historical covering worn over them for protection.
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 世知弁 may be ateji or a phonetic rendering, and 足袋 refers to tabi. The term is rare and appears in historical contexts.