Street voices
Michael James
·
United States
"Slides is another word for sandals without a back. They are most commonly worn when going to the beach or pool. For example, yo, I got these new slides just in time for summer. Those are sweet, man. Nice slides."
What it means
Slides are open-back slip-on sandals, the kind you just shove your feet into and keep it moving. Usually sporty, rubbery, poolside-coded, but loads of people wear them for errands, the gym, the beach, or lazy-day uniform. Not the same as flip-flops since there’s no bit between your toes.
Usage examples
"Yo, grab your slides before we head to the pool, the pavement's roasting and nobody's trying to lace up sneakers in this heat."
"He turned up to the fancy barbecue in socks and slides, and by the end of the night everyone wished they had done the same."
"I’m not putting proper shoes on for a two-minute shop run, I’m chucking on my slides and that’s that."
"Man came to the airport in hoodie, socks, and slides like he’d already mentally checked into holiday mode."
"I flew out in slides 'cause I wasn't about to wrestle with proper shoes for a red-eye."
Where it comes from
The name comes straight from the verb slide. Your foot slides in fast, no heel strap, no lace drama, just on and gone. It caught on as the retail name for open-back sporty sandals, especially the kind worn round pools, locker rooms, gyms, and lazy off-duty errands.
