Date:  Thu, 7 Dec 1995 20:24:48 -0800

From:  "Joseph P. McGowan" <mcgowan[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]TEETOT.ACUSD.EDU>

Subject: Re: sneakers -Reply



On Thu, 30 Nov 1995, Molly Dickmeyer wrote:



> Anybody else refer to the little white canvas sneaks as "bobos"? Or

> (apologies for the slur) "faggy whites"?

>

> Molly

> dickmeye[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]phl.lrpub.com

>



`Bobos' brings back distinct and (slightly) painful memories.

Philadelphia area, late 70s to early 80s. `Bobos' as a designation I

remember being brand specific: TRAX (K-Mart brand, 2 pair for $10) or

Lotto (slightly more well-heeled at $8 a pair). The usage seemed to be

predominantly male, working class to lower middle, seemingly more often

in the Catholic schools (because of uniforms there could be fewer

displays of distinction in dress-- until gym class and the Nikes and

Converses came out). Had also heard `bozos' though this would usually be

corrected. `Bobo' was also extended into an all-purpose pejorative

modifier: `bobo season' (Big Five basketball), `bobo pizza' (frozen

slices, like Elliot's), `bobo music' (disco at the time).



J.McGowan

English

Univ. of San Diego