Shoe Etymology Part I

The words are so familiar to us, but where do the names for different types of shoes come from?  This week we go on a journey through shoe history, to learn a little something about the origins of shoe names.

Clogs

The word “clog” is from the early 14^th century’s clogge, or “a lump of wood.”  The origin is unknown, but it’s similar to the Norwegian klugu, or “knotty log of wood.”  The sense of the clog as a “wooden-soled shoe” is first recorded late 14^th century; they were used as overshoes until the introduction of rubbers around 1840.  (This explains Cinderella putting on clogs before she goes outside to feed the chickens in the Disney movie!  Does nobody else remember that part but me?)  Originally all wood (hence the name), they later had wooden soles with leather uppers for the front of the foot only. 

The Rembrandt by Troentorp-Bastad is a classic clog in a few ways: it has a natural wood base, and it’s slip-resistant so you can use them as a work shoe no matter the weather.  Plus the company’s Swedish, so they have a long history in a clog-producing region.  Available in this navy or a reddish-brown cola color; your choice for $123 from Shoebuy.com.

Sneakers

The word “sneaker” was already in use at least as early as 1887, as the Boston Journal made reference to sneakers as “the name boys give to tennis shoes.” The name “sneakers” originally referred to how quiet the rubber soles were on the ground, in contrast to noisy standard hard leather-soled dress shoes—someone wearing sneakers could “sneak up” on you.

It doesn’t get any more classic than this!  The Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Shoe by Converse is an American classic.  A white canvas outer is trimmed around the rubber sole with red and blue.  Add the star on the tongue and you’re really all-American!  Also available in black, blue, and pink; your choice from Dogfunk for $45.

Mary Janes

Mary Jane was a character created by Richard Felton Outcault for his comic strip Buster Brown, first published in 1902.  The style of shoe both Buster Brown and Mary Jane wore came to be known by her name, Mary Jane.

This pretty little Mary Jane is flat, just like the original shoe from the comic, but the color is oh-so-fresh!  Look at that gorgeous green.  Perfect with a skirt, perfect under jeans… you can wear this year round whenever you want a splash of color.  Yours from Moose Limited for $20.

Come back Friday for the story behind three more shoes!