Hush Puppies

Meaning
These are a well-known (in the UK at least) type of suede shoes.
Origin
According to broclar@nternet.com the phrase originates like this: 'While eating out at the farm, the dogs started barking because they were hungry. To quiet them, those at table threw some corn bread to them and shouted: hush puppies. They ate and were quiet. Hush puppies are corn bread balls.'