Slippahs

Numerous parties come and go: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, first birthdays. You go to a friend’s home, take off your slippers (not flip-flop or sandals, but SLIPPERS, or SLIPPAHS for the truly local) before entering the party and leave them at the doorstep, in the midst of an ocean of slippers. As the party comes to an end, you fumble to find your precious, comfortable slippers that have that nice worn in feeling, a feeling only achieved after several months of dutiful usage. You slip on a pair you think is yours, walk off and after a few steps discover something is not quite right. It doesn’t FEEL right, doesn’t fit like a glove, doesn’t conform to your feet they way it should. You come to the harsh realization that someone has upgraded their slippers by walking away with your beloved pair. Don’t you feel a little violated?

The word “slipper” recorded in English in 1478 comes from the verb “to slip” as in slip on and eventually the word “slipper” emerged. Early historians record the slipper, finding its origins in India 1135-1189. Regardless of origin, slippers have been adopted and adapted as the Swiss Army Knife of local foot apparel, suitable for almost every occasion. The term “almost” is used because quite often your slippers are vetoed by your wife or girlfriend who finds them inappropriate for a wedding or funeral. But still our allegiance to our slippers make us local. Not flip-flop or sandals, SLIPPERS, or SLIPPAHS for the truly local. What brand? Does it matter? In my house, whatever was on sale. The no name brand made in China was always a hit, the Surfah brand a step up, and for the slipper connoisseur, Scott Slippahs was the way to go. If you happen to have a pair of made in China then walk proudly as historians trace the origins of slippers back to, well you guessed it, China.

From Waianae to Hawaii Kai, what adorns the feet of most locals are slippers. Our foot print is as unique as our finger print, leaving an indelible impression of our local color.

Do you practice this same custom where you live? Tell us about your experiences here, at Hawaii Traditions!

Photo Credit: WatariGoro on Flickr