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Sneakers are Footwear of flexible material, typically featuring a sole made of Rubber . Sneakers were originally sporting apparel, but are today worn much more widely as casual footwear. They are now very popular, especially with young people. The British English equivalent of "sneaker" is "trainer" in its modern meaning; however, the traditional "sneaker" (pictured) is closer to the British " Plimsoll ". In some urban areas in the United States , the slang for sneakers are '''''kicks'''''. In Hiberno-English the term is '''''runners'''''. Etymology The term "sneaker" itself was first used in 1916 by the US Rubber Company for the Keds brand, because rubber soles made the shoes less squeaky. The British English term "trainer" derives from "training shoe". Popular Brands Popular brands include Nike , Air Jordan , Adidas , Reebok , New Balance , Converse , PUMA , Shaq , etc. INVENTION The first "sneaker" was invented in 1893. It was made of canvas and was invented so boaters would not have to wear dress shoes when they were on deck- compare Boating Shoe s. FAIR TRADE SNEAKERS The first brand of fair trade sneakers, Veja , has been launched in 2005 in London, Paris and Tokyo. Material used are organic cotton and natural latex from Amazonia. OTHER USE Being conveniently at hand (actually on the foot), they make obvious Pervertible s for corporal punishment of the type usually called Slippering , especially in gym class (e.g. traditional in the case of the Spanish ''zapatilla'') and similar training, or in BDSM (associated with humiliation and/or foot fethishism). SOURCES AND REFERENCES (incomplete) |
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