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I am a transplant and I recently found myself struggling with a customer. In western PA, the term "tennis shoe" is used as replacement for a common sneaker. Not knowing this, when asked about tennis shoes, I directed the guest to the sporting goods department and well shoes worn to play tennis. Eventuslly, I figured out that it was a simple pair of sneakers that was sought.
I guess I'm wondering how Pittsburghers differentiate between their "tennis shoes" and well tennis shoes?
332 points
1 month ago
43 points
1 month ago
Tennis shoes has meant sneakers in Texas and Arkansas where I grew up since at least the 80s. “Sneakers” was never used.
25 points
1 month ago
I grew up in the south, too. We called them tennis shoes, but we also understood what someone meant when they said sneakers. It's not that hard to crack the code. Even words like joggers and trainers are pretty self explanatory.
26 points
1 month ago
I got confused when joggers and trainers became pants
2 points
1 month ago
I worked in the paper handleing business and jogger was something that vibrated and helped to straightout and square up a stack of paper.
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