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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Chuck Taylor (and Other Sneaker Names) Revealed

No, Adidas is not an acronym

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(Newser) – Some sneaker names are obvious—Air Jordan, anyone? But Mental Floss uncovered the origins of some popular brand names that are a bit more mysterious:

  • Converse Chuck Taylor All Star: A former high school basketball star, Chuck Taylor joined the Converse team in 1921 and helped launch the shoe to stardom.
  • Puma Clyde: The nickname of Walt Frazier, the Knicks player who asked Puma to design a wider basketball shoe.

  • Keds: Originally planned to be named “Peds” after the Latin word for feet, but someone else owned the rights to that name.
  • Reebok: Named after the rhebok, a fast African antelope.
  • Adidas: Does not stand for All Day I Dream About Soccer—it’s named for its owner Adi Dassler.
  • ASICS: An acronym for a Latin phrase meaning, “A healthy soul in a healthy body.”
For the full list, click the link below.

Reebok chose a fast animal for its name.
Reebok chose a fast animal for its name.   (©southp@w)
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes are named after the man who launched them to stardom.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes are named after the man who launched them to stardom.   (©[Kakashi])
Keds were supposed to be named Peds.
Keds were supposed to be named Peds.   (©peregrine blue)
Adidas is not actually an acronym for anything.
Adidas is not actually an acronym for anything.   (©maxpruneau)
Puma Clyde sneakers are also named after a basketball star.
Puma Clyde sneakers are also named after a basketball star.   (©Stephen Barnett)
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