Suzanne in Williamsburg, Virginia, but grew up in Southern California, where she used the term go-aheads for the rubber-soled shoes that other people call flip-flops or rubber thongs or zoris. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Go-Aheads”
Hello, you have A Way with Words.
Hi, yes, hello. This is Suzanne, and I’m calling from Williamsburg, Virginia,
But originally I am from Southern California,
And I’ve got a question about the origin of the phrase go-aheads.
Go-aheads.
The little rubber shoes with the little thong that goes between your big toe and your next toe.
I grew up calling them go-aheads, as did all my brothers and sisters,
But I have found over the years that people call them flip-flops or rubber thongs.
Wasn’t sure if that was a California phrase or perhaps one that was made up in my family,
Or if it’s because I’m 62 years old and it’s a phrase that’s long since passed.
No, it’s still used, but you’re right that it’s been localized mainly to California and Hawaii.
And the term go-aheads, of course, as you can imagine, I mean, you can probably guess why they’re called that, right?
I’m not sure.
I’m like, just put them on and go ahead or go forward.
I don’t know.
Yeah, you don’t want to back up in those rubber thongs.
They’ll just come right off your feet.
In Japan, they’re often called zoris.
Z-O-R-I-S.
Have you heard that one?
Yes, I have heard zoris.
Yeah, it’s still common throughout Southern California and Hawaii and Guam and a few other places.
It’s not the only term used in Hawaii.
And other places, and just like slippers is in.
Zori’s is also heard in Hawaii and California.
And it seems to have been popularized among U.S. Service members
Serving in the Pacific.
One thing that’s worth pointing out is that not everyone means
The same kind of shoe as you do when they talk about go-aheads.
Not everyone is thinking about thongs and flip-flops,
The rubber shoe with the piece that goes between the big toe
And the next toe, as you put it.
Some people are thinking about grass slippers,
Or they’re thinking about slip-on shoes,
Or different kinds of woven shoes, or just a wide variety of shoes can take that name Go Ahead.
Right. I do remember when I was a teenager, the woven shoes were very popular.
Yeah, a little more comfortable, a little wider too, right?
But you know, looking through our email that we’ve received over the years,
I see that we pretty regularly get emails about Go Aheads, I’d say a dozen times a year.
And I haven’t checked the phone calls lately, but I’m sure it’s probably the same frequency.
So it’s still out there.
People are still wondering about it.
You’re not alone.
Okay.
Well, I’m not crazy, and that’s what I needed to hear.
No.
I pronounce you sane.
I pronounce you sane and normal.
Yeah.
Thank you.
I’ll let my children know.
Well, good luck with that.
I don’t know how far you’ll get with that one, but with your friends.
Thanks for calling.
Take care.
Thank you so much.
Have a wonderful day.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
All righty.
Bye-bye.
