Tackies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of casual shoes or sneakers typically worn for comfort and leisure activities
2. A versatile footwear option often associated with sports or informal settings
3. Footwear characterized by a rubber sole, commonly used for various recreational purposes

Etymology: "Tackies" is the plural of "tackie", a South African and Australian term for canvas shoes with rubber soles, the kind sold in many countries as sneakers or plimsolls. The plural form is the one most people use, and the singular "tackie" follows the same pattern. The origin of the word is uncertain. One proposal is that it comes from Dutch or Afrikaans, the latter being the language of South Africa, where the word is common. The other proposal links it to English "tacky", meaning slightly sticky, on the idea that the rubber soles of these shoes seem to cling to the ground. Neither theory has been confirmed, so the word's true ancestry remains an open question.

Synonyms: sneakers, trainers, athletic shoes, tennis shoes, gym shoes

Antonyms: dress shoes, formal shoes, boots