Tekkie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A casual rubber-soled athletic shoe worn for sport or everyday leisure, often made of canvas or leather
2. An informal term for a lightweight running or training shoe with a cushioned sole and laces
3. Slang for a sneaker, the soft-soled footwear designed for physical activity and casual wear

Etymology: "Tennis shoe" is the phrase behind this word. South African English clipped it to "tennis," then added the affectionate "-ie" ending, which is common in both South African English and Afrikaans nicknames. The result was a single, familiar noun for the canvas or rubber shoes people wore on the court and everywhere else. The shoe kept its athletic name even when worn for casual purposes, which is why the word still suggests sport rather than fashion. The term is most at home in South Africa, where it remains the everyday word for sneakers.

Synonyms: sneaker, trainer, plimsoll