Sneakers, tennis shoes, gym shoes, running shoes, athletic shoes....what do you call them?

Gummybear,

There are actually many names for athletic shoes. The names come from their usage, geographic area, and specific moments in history. For example: When sneakers first started out in the 1800s in England their name was "plimsolls." In fact, many people in England still use the word "plimsolls" to describe slip-on and other types of light weight canvas sneakers.

Most people who call athletic shoes, gym shoes are from the Chicago (WI, IL, and IA) area, but this isn't always true. If you grew up outside this area (three states), where did you learn to call them gym shoes?

Today, I call them based upon their style and/or purpose, such as: boat shoes, deck shoes, slips, Chucks, sneakers, etc.

Anyway back to what I call them and what others call them:

I grew up in Southern to Southeastern Ohio and we called them sneakers. I'm not sure why maybe because we felt people who wore sneakers could be quiet. On the other hand, during basketball games, P.E. class, and many times when running in the halls you'd hear the sneakers and boy were they loud!

As for other places and times, I found this list with links to why the name exists on "Charlie's Sneaker Pages." His website is at: http://sneakers.pair.com/

I'd give you the direct link for each name, except Yahoo! Answers limits you to 5 (I think) links. As you can see, Charlie has links to many more than 5 names.

# Aerobic shoes

# Basket shoes

# Basketball boots

# Beach feet

# Boat shoes

# Bobos

# Boots

# Bumper boots

# Cheerleading shoes

# Cleats

# Cross-trainers

# Court shoes

# CVOs

# Daps

# Deck shoes

# Drug shoes

# Felony Flyers

# Felony shoes

# Footbag shoes

# Fishheads

# Football boots

# Go-fasters

# Grapplers

# Grips

# Gutties

# Gym shoes

# Gymmers

# High-tops

# Hoop shoes

# Joggers

# Kicks

# Plimsolls

# Old School

# Outing shoes

# Oxfords

# Runners

# Sabogs

# Sandshoes

# Skippies

# Shoeclacks

# Sk8 shoes

# Skate shoes

# Skateboarding shoes

# Skunks

# Sneaks

# Sneakers

# Soccer boots

# Speed shoes

# Spikes

# Sport shoes

# Tackies

# Takkies

# Tennie-runners

# Tennies

# Tennis shoes

# Tetanus shoes

# Track shoes

# Treads

# Trainers

# Uptowns

# Volleyball shoes

# Wrestling shoes

It depends on what your using the shoe for!

If your a runner then a running shoe

If your just going to the gym a crosstrainer

If they are just an everyday shoe I would call them just shoes

Sneakers.

well if i'm just walkin around, sneakers

if im playing tennis, tennis shoes

if im in gym, gym shoes

if i'm running, running shoes

but i don't call them athletic shoes, ever

i've always called them tennis shoes

sports shoes

I call them running shows, or flats.

running sneakers.

i love cross trainers.

sneakers. maybe its just from wear i live idk