︎Ketchikan tennis shoe
n.— «One of natural wool’s greatest attributes is one of its greatest weaknesses: It absorbs moisture without losing insulating value. This makes it perfect for something like socks in rubber boots or, as they are called in Southeast, “Ketchikan tennis shoes.”» —“Wool vs. synthetics” by Craig Medred Anchorage Daily News (Alaska) Jan. 13, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
There was a time when William Shakespeare was just another little seven-year-old in school. Classes in his day were demanding — and all in Latin. A new book argues that this rigorous curriculum actually nurtured the creativity that later flourished...