Chuck Taylor (and Other Sneaker Names) Revealed

No, Adidas is not an acronym
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 9, 2009 2:45 PM CDT
Chuck Taylor (and Other Sneaker Names) Revealed
Reebok chose a fast animal for its name.   (©southp@w)

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. (More Jay-ZTV stories.)

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