[Raak] Yes. There is a strong African American influence/connection and I expect that influence traces back to Africa. *question engenders exuberant applause*

I've googled this, and that's all I can find.

[Raak] No, not clogs or taps.
*Wonders, should I offer a few suggestions to the players? Is that how this works?*

[irach] The wood is not a separate thing; it is what the heel of the footwear often is or appears to made from.

[irach] No, not jazz dancing shoes. The word "shoes" does not appear on the card at all.

[Raak] No, not pattens. I had to look that one up; like the words on the card, they are not so much in fashion these days. Come to think, it might help to keep in mind that dancing, music and fashion all change with the times.

Running out of synonyms for "clog"...

[Raak] No, not sabots. (Uhmmmm, did I say they were clogs?)

[Raak] No, not a sandal. *audience applauds this line of inquiry nonetheless*

I'm pretty certain this is going to be a subject that would annoy Rosie;-)

[CdM] Yes. A boot. *audience cheers as if its team has just won the world cup*
[INJ] No, not stilts. But yes, I have been expecting the hand of Rosie to come and smite me any moment now. :-)

[Raak] No, not buskins.

[Chalky] No, not gumboots. *a minor hullabaloo, however, arises from the audience*

[INJ] No, not related to Mariachi/zapataedo.
[Raak] Yes, I can think of at least one professional cheer leading squad I associate with this footwear. (However, the footwear was originally more connected with the runway than with running backs.) *Texans in the audience nod, approvingly*

[Chalky] No, not gaucho boots.

[irach] No, not sequined cowboy boots. (but the DCC connection is a good one...)
[software] No, not ballet shoes.

(picking up on your fashion comment earlier)

[CdM] Yes, originiated in the mid-20th century. *audience members rock in their seats! roll in the aisles!*

Not sure why I keep guessing - I have no desire to be in the chair next time round. Guess I'm intrigued ... and if the solution turns out to be ridiculously obscure ... I can then 'do a Rosie' [sans swearage] :-D

[Calky] Hallelujah, yes! *gratefully passes one white patent leather baton to Chalky (while doing the Froog)*

Can't find any reference to these as either dance-specific or made of leather and wood (wikipedia refers to them in purely fashion terms and often/mostly made of plastic - which is what I would have guessed). Can someone point me at a helpful reference. Not annoyed, you understand, I just stopped guessing because I'd explored everything I could given the information available and I'd like to know how I could have got there.
Oh, and:

---

[INJ] Alas, I didn't check wikipedia before I chose the words on the card. My bad--I will remember to do so should I ever be handed the baton again. I relied on my memory of my first pair of go go boots: they where white patent leather and had a stacked wooden heel. I believe I answered the question about dancing shoes early on by saying the the item on the card could be characterized as a dancing shoe without saying it was a dancing shoe directly; I thought I was giving the best answer possible. Later when I realized that it was limiting everyone's thinking, I tried to draw attention to the fashion connection. I was surprised how few questions focused on the style of music connected with the dancing (particularly after some pretty direct hits and/or hints e.g. American-originated, distinguished by its beat, African American influence, etc.) or (until CdM) inquired whether the shoes were currently or historically popular. Anyway--while I am very glad you are not annoyed, INJ--still I am apologetic. This was a round of Painfully Difficult AVMA. Sorry.

Oh...and

---

Thanks cfm - don't feel you have to apologise. It's tough in the chair.

I'll have a go ...

ANIMAL, MINERAL & VEGETABLE

[CdM] Is it unique? YES
[irach] Noah's Ark? NO :)

[cfm] I've genuinely learnt a couple of things¹ from your question, so no need to apologise.

1. Although it's at least partly my era I didn't know that go-go was actually a style and I didn't know the boots had any descriptive name.

[CdM] Not that helpful a reference to look up in an open office!

Bad news, I'm back...

[INJ] Extant? YES
[Tuj] P-word? NO

[Raak] Salty bacon crisps? NO :)
[irach] Edible? NO
[Software] Wearable? NO
[cfm] Primarily decorative as opposed to utilitarian? NO - mostly utilitarian
[GL] Man made? In the main - YES.

[Tuj] It was unique when CdM asked I doubt that has changed.

[Raak] Made of leather, wood, and metal fixings? The wording of your question requires a NO answer, even though leather, wood and metal are all components of this.
[Tuj] YES - still unique :)
[irach] Furniture/home furnishing - NO, not alone [although your question prompts a murmur from the very sleepy audience]
[GL] Wood? YES - wood is one of the vegetably bits of this
[cfm] Fictional? NO

[Raak] Used in an office? NO. Definitely not used. It might be contemplated when in an office, but then I expect most things are ..

[INJ] Move/change location? NO *audience nods approval for question*

[Tuj] Entertainment? NO not really ... aw, maybe in some respects but - my reply really won't help.
[cfm] Elements effecting/affecting each other? Oh YES - absolutely.
[Raak] Moving parts? YES
[GL] Bigger than a phone box? YES - massively so.

*is wondering if the word ABSTRACT should have been part of the opening clue*