General
runners
What does runners mean?
Trainers. Any athletic-style shoe — Nikes, Adidas, the lot. The default Irish word; no jogging required to qualify.
"You're not going to mass in a pair of runners."
Origin
Self-explanatory shortening of 'running shoes', but where the British say trainers and the Americans say sneakers, the Irish locked in runners.
Frequently asked questions
What are 'runners' in Australian slang?
'Runners' are sports shoes or sneakers — what Brits call trainers and Americans call sneakers.
Do all Australians say 'runners'?
It's common, especially in Victoria, though some say 'joggers' or 'sneakers' depending on the region.
Where does 'runners' come from?
It's simply short for 'running shoes', which became the general term for athletic footwear in Australia.
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