How did the term “wellies” come to be?

The term “wellies” is derived from the “wellington boot,” which was named after the Duke of Wellington, a prominent British military leader in the 19th century. The duke was known for wearing a particular type of knee-high boot that was designed to be practical and durable, and this style of boot eventually became popular among the general public. The term “wellies” is a colloquial shorthand for the wellington boot, and it has become the most common way to refer to this type of rubber boot in the United Kingdom.