[blazeone662]

Originally Posted by jdunford

I know... it's just... "sneakers" is an American word. You almost never hear it in Canada. Here, they're just "running shoes", even if they're actually "basketball shoes" or "tennis shoes" or "cross-trainers"... everybody here calls them "running shoes".
I think I said "sneakers" once in 1998 and received a strange glance.

*EDIT* And yes, I was into "sneakers" a little, too, back in the day. Reebok "pumps" were all the rage. I had a pair of Air Jordan's... I think they were the 3rd edition (?) -- the suede maroon ones that came out just after the first black ones. Mmm... "Junior High!" Those were the days. I remember getting in a fight in the locker room 'cause some kid thought it would be funny to take my "lace protectors".

That's so true. I've never thought of it before. Don't forget the short form "runners".