Why Are Sneakers Called “Trainers” in Some Countries?
The term “sneakers” is widely recognized in the United States and other parts of the world as the name for casual, soft-soled shoes typically worn for sports or everyday use. However, in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and other English-speaking countries outside the U.S., these same shoes are commonly referred to as “trainers.” This linguistic difference raises an interesting question: Why are sneakers called “trainers” in some countries?
To understand this terminology, we must explore the history of the footwear, the evolution of language, and the cultural contexts in which these terms developed. This article delves into the origins of both terms, their regional usage, and the reasons behind the differing nomenclature.
The Origin of the Word “Sneakers”
The term “sneakers” is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century. The first recorded use of the word was in 1887, when the term was used to describe rubber-soled shoes that allowed the wearer to move quietly or “sneak” around without being heard. The soft, pliable soles made it easier to walk or run without making loud noises on hard surfaces, hence the name “sneakers.”
This term became popular in American English and was further cemented in the cultural lexicon with the rise of athletic footwear in the 20th century. Companies like Converse, Keds, and later Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, helped establish sneakers as a staple of American fashion and sportswear. Today, “sneakers” is the standard term in the U.S. and is increasingly used globally, especially among younger generations influenced by American pop culture.
The British Term “Trainers”
In contrast to the American term “sneakers,” the British English term “trainers” emphasizes the functional use of the footwear rather than its quietness. The word “trainer” in this context refers to shoes designed for training or physical activity, particularly in sports or gym settings.
The term began to gain popularity in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the rise of fitness culture and the increasing availability of athletic footwear from international brands. While the British had long used terms like “plimsolls” or “sandshoes” for similar footwear, “trainers” gradually replaced these older terms as athletic shoes became more mainstream and associated with specific sports and training activities.
“Trainers” became a catch-all term for athletic shoes, whether they were used for running, football (soccer), basketball, or general exercise. The word highlights the purpose of the shoe—training or physical activity—rather than its noise-dampening qualities.
Historical and Cultural Context
To fully understand the divergence in terminology, it’s important to consider the historical and cultural contexts in which these terms developed.
In the UK, the adoption of the term “trainers” reflects the British emphasis on function and utility in language. The British have traditionally used more descriptive terms for everyday objects, often focusing on what the item does rather than how it feels or behaves. For example, the British term “wellingtons” for rain boots is descriptive of their function, while Americans use the more generic term “rain boots.”
Similarly, “trainers” clearly communicates the intended use of the footwear: training, exercise, or sport. This practical approach to naming aligns with the British cultural tendency to value clarity and functionality in language.
In the U.S., the term “sneakers” reflects a different linguistic tradition, one that often emphasizes the sensory or experiential qualities of an object. American English has a tendency to use more colorful or imaginative terms, and “sneakers” fits this pattern by highlighting the shoe’s ability to allow the wearer to “sneak” around quietly.
Other Regional Terms and Variations
While “sneakers” and “trainers” are the dominant terms in the U.S. and UK respectively, there are other regional variations and historical terms that have been used to describe similar footwear.
Plimsolls: This was a common British term for canvas shoes with rubber soles, especially those worn in school settings. The name is believed to have originated from the Plimsoll line, a mark on a ship’s hull indicating safe loading levels, due to the resemblance of the line on the shoe’s sole.
Sandshoes: This term was used in Australia and New Zealand to refer to similar athletic footwear, especially in the mid-20th century. The term is thought to have originated from the fact that the shoes were suitable for wearing on the beach or sand.
Athleisure: A more modern term that refers to athletic-inspired fashion wear that can be worn both in and out of the gym. While not a synonym for sneakers or trainers, it reflects the evolving role of athletic footwear in contemporary fashion.
The Global Influence of American Culture
In recent decades, the influence of American culture—particularly through music, film, television, and fashion—has led to the widespread use of the term “sneakers” even in countries where “trainers” is the traditional term. Younger generations in the UK, for example, are increasingly familiar with and may even prefer the term “sneakers,” especially when referring to high-end or designer athletic footwear.
Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma have also contributed to this shift by marketing their products globally using terms like “sneakers” and “footwear” in their advertising campaigns. In the fashion world, “sneakers” has become a trendy, aspirational term associated with streetwear and urban culture.
Nevertheless, “trainers” remains the standard term in British English and is widely understood and used across the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
The Role of Sports and Fitness Culture
The evolution of the term “trainers” in the UK also coincided with the rise of organized sports and fitness culture. In the 20th century, especially after World War II, there was a growing emphasis on physical education, sports participation, and health awareness. Schools and universities began to require students to wear appropriate footwear for physical education classes, and “trainers” became the standard term for this type of shoe.
In contrast, in the U.S., the term “sneakers” evolved alongside the rise of casual American fashion. The shoe became a symbol of youth culture, rebellion, and individuality, especially with the rise of basketball and hip-hop culture in the 1980s and 1990s.
Conclusion
The question of why sneakers are called “trainers” in some countries reveals a fascinating intersection of language, culture, and history. While the American term “sneakers” emphasizes the quiet nature of the shoe’s rubber sole, the British term “trainers” highlights its functional purpose in sports and physical training.
These differences in terminology reflect broader cultural values and historical developments. In the UK, the focus has traditionally been on function and utility, leading to the adoption of a term that clearly describes the shoe’s use. In the U.S., the emphasis on sensory experience and innovation led to the creation of a more evocative term that stuck in the national lexicon.
Despite the global spread of the term “sneakers” due to American cultural influence, “trainers” remains a strong and widely accepted term in the UK and other Commonwealth countries. Understanding these linguistic differences enriches our appreciation of how language evolves and how cultural context shapes the words we use every day.
As athletic footwear continues to evolve and become a global fashion phenomenon, it’s likely that both terms will coexist, each reflecting the unique cultural identity of the regions that use them. Whether you call them sneakers or trainers, one thing is clear: these shoes have left a lasting imprint on both language and lifestyle.