Oxford Tap Shoe

The Dreaded Word Thong

Being a teacher I have to be very careful with my vocabulary. Even when I am pronouncing words I must be careful so that the students do not misinterpret what I say. If I do not do this then there can be some very embarrassing moments because the student has misheard or misunderstood what I said. I want to be a good example to my students and use words appropriately and avoid embarrassing moments. Using less familiar words help the students build vocabulary and some of them enjoy looking up words they do not know or trying to figure out what I said..

In the last couple of years I have found myself more than once facing a classroom full of students with their mouths hanging open looking at me in astonishment. How would I dare say that? Then I find myself explaining to them that when I was young that word had a whole different meaning than it has today. Now over the years this has happened with a few words such as gay. Many songs used to read “ let’s all be happy and gay”, but not the gay that our students think about. Gay is not real hard to explain away to students and they get a laugh out of it. But the other word leaves them with astonished looks. So what is that word. The word is ‘thong’. Now when I was young ‘thong’ was what you wore on your feet. Today the students refer to them as Flip flops.

This has lead to several embarrassing moments when I have told kids that they cannot wear thongs on a field trip and I will not let them on the bus if they have them on. Their response, of course, is “Are you going to check?” Oops!

To correct this mistake I decided to find alternative words to use for items that I wear on my feet. Boy, what a list. When I went looking the list was so long that I had to pick and choose. Evidently our multicultured society has adopted many shoe words from other cultures. So now I have made a list of words that I can use for footwear. I didn’t know there were so many, and these are only the ones that I have heard.

Overshoes was what I called them, now they are arctics, boots, galoshes, ski boots, bootee, hip boots, storm rubbers, toe rubbers,

Gym shoes, and tennis shoes was what I called them, now they are sneakers, Nikes, running shoes, smart shoe, sport sandals, daps, deck shoes, drug shoes, flyers, gymmers, high-tops, joggers, sabogs, skippies, sneaks, speed shoes, sport shoes track shoes, and wrestling shoes and odor eaters.

Then when you go out on the street and look down at all those shoes passing by and you will see: loafers, mules, moccasins, sandals, platforms, pumps, oxfords, Wellingtons,

cleats, sling pumps, clogs, slippers, tap shoes, toe shoes, spurs, spikes, ballet slippers, roller skates and thongs. Oops flip flops and wedgies. Oh, oh, I’ll have to choose another one than wedgies or I’ll have another shocked classroom.

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If I am buying adult size 8 oxford tap shoes (cuban heel) how do I know which size heel taps to buy?

Check with the seller. Normally when a dance supplier sells a tap/character shoe that doesn't have the taps included, they will usually have a link to the right taps, too (if you're buying online). You might check Discount Dance online, and see if they sell your shoe - they usually put up links and I believe somewhere on their site is a list of what taps fit which shoe.

If you're buying from a local shop, ask the salestaff. And if the shoe is one for a recital or show, ask your teacher or costumer. Generally, if our costumer says "get this particular shoe", she also tells us which taps or other accessories to get with it, as well.

Also, you can look up the url of the shoemaker and check their site, or email them your question. I know Capezio has its own website, for example.

Hope this helps!

The First Vid of Me Squeaking & Tapping my Oxford High Heels

TAP SHOE $23.5 SOLID 3D, Sterling Silver, 3/8 x 5/8 in

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Worx Oxford Shoe $53 Worx 6364 Oxford Shoe Full Grain Black Leather Removable EVA footbed Superior Slip Resistance Rubber StarGrip Brand Sole Cement Construction Non-Metallic Shank Non-Marking Best Product Care: ( Leather Protector , Polish ) The 6364 has the style of an athletic shoe, yet it's ready for work. It's built for comfort and long lasting stability. It's an all around great, basic work shoe. Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 6-10, 11 W (Wide Men's Sizes) 6-10

Steel Toe Oxford Shoe $71.45 Worx 5411 Static Dissipative Steel Toe Shoe Full Grain Tumbled Black Leather Removable PU-SD Footbed Oil/Slip Resistant Crosscut Wedge Sole Cement Construction Steel Shank Best Product Care ( Leather Protector , Polish ) This simple shoe combines the great features of rough safety shoe into a very stylish Oxford. Great show for work, it looks nice and even better feels nice! Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13, 14, W (Wide Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13, WW (Extra Wide Men's Sizes) 8-12, 13

Worx Oxford Women's Shoe $90 Worx 6290 Static Dissipative Oxford Shoe Full Grain Leather Upper Side Gore Panels Direct Attach Welt Construction Removable Polyurethane Footbed Oil/Slip Resistant Outsole Static Dissapative Best Product Care ( Leather Protector , Polish ) Another great athletic looking work shoe. The 6290 is built to last for a longer period of time than just any average shoe. It's also built to keep you comfortable all day so that your mind can be off your feet and on your work. Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 6-10, 11 WW (Extra Wide Men's Sizes) 6-10

Oxford Women's Shoe $80 Worx 6292 Static Dissipative Oxford Women's Shoe Full Grain Leather Upper Side Gore Panels Direct Attach Construction Removable Polyurethane Footbed Oil/Slip Resistant Outsole Static Dissipative Best Product Care: Leather Protector The 6292 is a great slip on work shoe. It's great for work and comfortable for all day,everyday wearing. It is built to keep your mind off your feet and on your work. Try a pair today, you can't go wrong with this shoe! Available Sizes M (Standard Women's Sizes) 6-10, 11 WW (Eztra Wide Women's Sizes) 6-10

Oxford Work Shoe $89 Worx 6318 Oxford Shoe Full Grain Leather Upper Cement Construction Removable Polyurethane Footbed StarGrip Brand Rubber Sole Best Product Care ( Leather Protector , Polish ) This is just one of the many stylish work shoes we offer. Like the others, this one is simple and looks like a casual shoe. However, with it's cement construction and removable polyurethane footbed, this shoe is perfect for work. It's built to last and to keep you comfortable all day. Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13, 14 WW (Extra Wide Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13, 14

SD Oxford Shoe $85 Worx 5511 Static Dissapative Oxford Boot Full grain Leather Upper Non-Metallic Shank Direct Attach Construction Removable Polyurethane Footbed Polyurethane Outsole Static Dissapative Best Product Care ( Leather Protector , Polish ) This is a great looking and wearing work oxford shoe. The stylish build barely looks like a work boot but rest assured, this boot will keep you safe and comfortable throughout the day. Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13, 14 W (Wide Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13 WW (Extra Wide Men's Sizes) 8-12, 13

Irish Setter Oxford Shoe $140.99 Irish Setter 1859 CountrySider Water Proof Casual Oxford Shoe Dark Brown Kangaroo & Cowhide Leather Cambrelle Covered Urethane Footbed Irish Setter TrailWalker Shoe Goodyear Welt Construction Gore-Tex Water Proofing Best Product Care: Leather Protector The Countrysider is made for simplicity. Welted construction, full-grain leathers, and simple lines create a classic rugged look, while premium footbeds and linings provide enhanced comfort. Available Sizes D (Standard Men's Sizes) 8-12, 13, 14 EE (Extra Wide) 8-12, 13, 14

Steel Toe Brown Oxford Shoe $90 Worx 5003 Steel Toe Brown Oxford Shoe Brown Nubuck Leather Oil/Slip Resistant Rubber Sunray - White Sole Removable PU - SD Footbed Cement Construction Non-Metallic Shank Best Product Care: Leather Protector This casual oxford shoe is a great idea if your not so fond of the boot look. It has a fresh youthful look to it that you can sport whether your out an about, or at the job. It provides the same great safety features a boot would but in a simple casual way! Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 7-9.5, 11-13 WW (Extra Wide Men's Sizes) 8.5-9.5, 13

Women's Oxford Shoe $77 Worx 5530 Static Dissipative Women's Shoe Full Grain Tumbled Leather Upper Oil/Slip Resistant Dual Density Polyurethane Crosscut Wedge Outsole Cement Construction Static Disapative Best Product Care ( Leather Protector , Polish ) Don't let this shoe fool you. Although it looks like a casual shoe it is built for work. It is built to keep you comfortable on the job, while also keeping you safe. It's a great stylish work boot. Available Sizes M (Standard Women's Sizes) 4-10 W (Wide Women's Sizes) 6-10

Black Oxford Soft Toe Shoe $58 Worx 6333 Oxford Shoe Full Grain Black Leather Removable EVA Footbed Superior Slip Resistance Rubber StarGrip Brand Sole Cement Construction Non-Metallic Shank Non-Marking Best Product Care ( Leather Protector , Polish ) This is just one of the many athletic style work shoes we sell. The 6333 is a great boot because although it looks like a casual shoe, it's actually perfect for work. Available Sizes M (Standard Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13, 14 WW (Extra Wide Men's Sizes) 7-12, 13

Oxford $21.45 Oxford

Oxford As It Is $14.4 Oxford As It Is