Amanda the Great by Amanda El-Dweek for December 23, 2024

I haven’t heard tennie runners in years. And I’m from nowhere near the Dakotas.

I last heard the term in 1982 in Texas.

come to think about it – if i was to use my own slang in comics probably it would never be syndicated. Not even my family comprehends what I say (when I’m sober, and so they are)

The British strips call sneakers “trainers”.

I’ve been calling ’em “kicks” ever since I heard a guy in L.A. use that term.

There is absolutely no reason why you can’t use your regionalisms. And you should use them! It helps us all be multi-dialectal. (PS “tennis shoes” is also used in the South, so I was familiar with that. From that I could figure out “tennie runners”.)

Hilarious! A true upper-midwest regionalism. Last heard in the Milwaukee airport TSA line in 2003.

And from the vague hint as to the brand on the packaging (no “product placement” in this strip), I heartily approve that, too.

“Sneaks”

Truth be told most of us born Canadians (left Barrie decades ago) still do call our “tennis shoes” or “sneakers” runners. Even if we only walk in them.