sneakers
 
      Slang terms are an important part of any language and help further define the culture they are unique to.  One term in particular I thought would be interesting was sneakers.  The unique thing about this word is most people use it without realizing it is slang and without realization of where it originated.  This term seems to have been phased out a little from when originated and rightfully so since each new generation invents new slang, which takes the place of the older outdated slang.  Most of the people you hear using the term are older since it was the common slang of their generation and are accustomed to using to it.  Sneaker is a prime example of this taking place in our culture and also illustrates how this is happening constantly to meet the demands of each new generation.  I feel sneaker should be included in the Standard English Dictionary since it holds a special niche in the English language and would be very useful to preserving culture for future generations.

       The term sneaker originated in the early 1900s and has virtually held the same meaning that it holds today.  It is a noun that originated from the United States and first was used to describe shoes with rubber soles.   In 1930 they further elaborated on the term sneaker by adding it was a canvas type of footwear that had rubber soles at the bottom.  This lasted until the 1950’s when sneakers became a certain type of sports shoe for adults (“Sneakers” Oxford English Dictionary).  Somewhere between there and modern day another change took place in the definition of sneakers.  During this time period sneakers took the generalized definition of just about any type of informal shoe (“Sneaker” Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang).  This definition is the one most use today when they use the slang sneakers.

       In our modern society we have invented many new slang terms for shoes to better suit our times and culture.  For instance today we would use terms such as kicks and tenners to describe shoes rather than outdated terms like sneakers since they better fit the times.  The usage of the word sneakers to some would be awkward in modern day but might be common to those who grew up with it being the common slang of their generation.  This is true just as our usage of some slang these days would be unfamiliar to those who are from different generations.  For example, if you said to someone these days, “That’s cool” they might not know what you mean because their generation might’ve been older than the one where that phrase originated.  This is just because of the forward progression of language, and the changing culture of society.

      I feel that sneakers should be admitted into Standard English Dictionary since it is widely accepted and a universal term for shoe in our culture.  By admitting it into the Standard English Dictionary we would be preserving a vital part of our culture and be honoring those who coined the term. When in the dictionary others could look back and get ideas on how slang has evolved since then and how we as a society have made advancements.  By printing it in a Standard English Dictionary it would be beneficial to all and would help further promote past memorable cultures.

      Today when most hear the term sneakers they immediately recognize that you are referring to shoes, even though they might use other slang or terminology for them.  It’s one of the most universally know terms where even if you didn’t grow up in the generation it was popularized you can still relate to what it is.  This slang term has been passed down from one generation to the next, culture to culture, and is still evident in our language today.  This is not just preservation of language but also that of the cultures that molded it.