Memories of Things Forgotten.

How many of us older folks remember wearing " washykong" ( washeekongs) sneakers back in the 50s and 60s?
Sneakers or washeekong were flat walking shoe with a canvas upper, circled with a band of rubber , fastened with cotton laces and vulcanized rubber sole.
One theory as to origin of name washeekong is that it is a TRINI word. The theory suggest word "Qigong” is of Chinese origin maybe :perhaps Mandarin origin. " Qigong” is pronounced chee-gong" .
Our locals kids had to be reminded to wash them regularly to keep them clean, hence the origin of the word 'wash chee gong' then finally: *washykongs/washeekong *
According to French Creole Dictionary these shoes were referred to as crepe soles .The French term, crêpe, derives from the Latin crispa, meaning with "creases" , Crepe sole referred to shoes made with crepe rubber. Crepe rubber according to the English Dictionary is coagulated latex that is rolled out in crinkled sheets and commonly used to make soles for shoes
How many remembered having to wash their washeekongs ( as they were referred to in Trinidad) , put them out to dry in the sun and use whitening bought in Bata stores to get the canvas lily white?
This vintage Ad ( courtesy Ricardo Rambally ) was taken from,1943 year book. Note unusual spelling of the word.
Imagine in those day a pair of washeekongs was only $1.43.
(Source: Angelo Bissessarsingh's Virtual Museum of T&T, July 12, 2023)