Zoccoli

Now I've found why I was searching for zoccoli - I was looking for a NG posting where I quoted this

`The zoccoli, a bizarre form of footwear, like a mule on a pedestal were developed in Venice. Originally designed to keep the foot out ofthe mud... It is thought they may have contributed to domestic virtue in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance since a lady could not go out without two servants to hold her up..'
Venice Observed