Merchandise

[marthe]

Here in New England, athletic shoes are called sneakers. Elsewhere in the US (down South?) they're known as tennies (for tennis shoes.) Brand names came to be used as generic terms: Keds, P.F. Flyers. The sneakers of my childhood were canvas with rubber soles. Girls wore red, navy, or white low tops and boys wore black or white high tops (basketball shoes). These were strictly for play or sports. We did not wear sneakers as school shoes except to gym class. Specialized running shoes became quite popular witht the introduction of Adidas and Nike in the 1970s. When my children were school age (1990s), having the right brand of sneaker was a big deal. The original "Air Jordans" became the "must have" item when my son was in lower school. He had to make do with something far less expensive but just as servicable. When my children did school sports (lacrosse, field hockey, running etc.) they needed specialized shoes for each sport. Lacrosse cleats were not interchangeable with field hockey cleats. Baseball shoes couldn't double as soccer (football) shoes (boots?). It was all very complicated and costly. Boat shoes, called topsiders (actually a brand made by the Sperry Company) were also popular. My husband says that he called his sneakers "pumps" while growing up in Lancs. His neices and nephews now call athletic shoes "trainers".

[Serial_Apologist]

Here in New England, athletic shoes are called sneakers. Elsewhere in the US (down South?) they're known as tennies (for tennis shoes.) Brand names came to be used as generic terms: Keds, P.F. Flyers. The sneakers of my childhood were canvas with rubber soles. Girls wore red, navy, or white low tops and boys wore black or white high tops (basketball shoes). These were strictly for play or sports. We did not wear sneakers as school shoes except to gym class. Specialized running shoes became quite popular witht the introduction of Adidas and Nike in the 1970s. When my children were school age (1990s), having the right brand of sneaker was a big deal. The original "Air Jordans" became the "must have" item when my son was in lower school. He had to make do with something far less expensive but just as servicable. When my children did school sports (lacrosse, field hockey, running etc.) they needed specialized shoes for each sport. Lacrosse cleats were not interchangeable with field hockey cleats. Baseball shoes couldn't double as soccer (football) shoes (boots?). It was all very complicated and costly. Boat shoes, called topsiders (actually a brand made by the Sperry Company) were also popular. My husband says that he called his sneakers "pumps" while growing up in Lancs. His neices and nephews now call athletic shoes "trainers".

Very interesting, thank you, marthe.

Recently I have come to notice trainers with pink or green flashing lights in the soles, worn by small children. I am wondering if the lights function as warning of approach for any slugs and snails in their path!

[marthe]

Children with flashing-light soles are busy warning slugs and snails over here as well, S-A!