December: gnomes and shoes

[nipernaadiagain]

Postcard with an illustration by Anne Linnamägi (1966) for "The Santa Claus Who Was Afraid of Kids" by Leelo Tungal (Tammeraamat, 2010)

I have shown this postcard before, and the question I got was: "Why all the shoes?"

The sussipäkapikk* or a shoe-gnome is a tradition that reached Estonia in late 1980s from Scandinavia. Children will leave

Comments

[egelantier]

oh my good, this poor tragic santa. he needs a hug ;____;

[mnfaure]

You can say "houseshoes." And while confirming* that it was one word, I came across the information that it is chiefly used in the Southern US**, where I am from. However, the first usage listed on Google was from the Urban Dictionary, saying it is an ebonics terms, and my first reaction to that was, "Seriously?" (as in, I don't think so.)

_____
*actually found it written both ways

** Now I'm curious to know if it is used in other parts of the States and if not, what word do they use...

[shewhomust]

I'd describe the things in the second picture as slippers, and if you'd used the word slippers that's what I'd have expected to see.

Do you expect slippers to be open at the back? Not in British English< I don't think.

[rachelmanija]

I love the shoe gnomes.

Inside shoes would be "house shoes" or "slippers." The latter is more common, and in context includes shoes with closed heels.