plimsoll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plimsoll" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a type of shoe or to the line on a ship's hull that indicates the maximum safe loading level. Example: "He wore a pair of plimsolls while playing basketball at the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

We know what he meant – that hardly any playing fields are being sold now – but what he said was that not a single square foot of turf ever touched by a plimsoll will ever change hands for money.

Independent

The furthest I go is a little suede plimsoll," he says, dressed impeccably and incongruously in a pinstripe suit, emerald tie and pocket square.

Independent

Mr Bryant said: "It smacks of the plimsoll strategy, whereby senior management at News International and News Corp, as soon as the water started lapping a little bit higher chucked somebody else overboard, a newspaper, an editor.

Independent

Nodine begins by imparting some Deadhead lore, launching into a call-and-response with the band's late frontman Jerry Garcia using a plimsoll as a microphone.

Independent

Our only off-pizza foray was also a mistake; a Vesuvian cauldron of wild boar stew, the meat badly trimmed and tough as an old plimsoll, served with nothing more than a couple of slices of plain ciabatta.

Independent

He loses his left plimsoll in the crossing, also the bit of blue glass that Connie Chappell gave him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

After becoming the youngest boss of a publicly listed German company when he took over Puma in 1993, he transformed the firm from a near-bankrupt plimsoll-maker into a trendy high-street brand.Mr Pinault and Mr Zeitz, who are both the same age, get along well.

The Economist

The student, who is around 5ft 6in tall and of medium build with long dark brown hair, was wearing a cream knee-length dress patterned with large brown and orange flowers and black plimsoll-type shoes.

Independent

When last seen, she was wearing a cream knee-length dress which had large brown and orange flowers on it and black plimsoll-type shoes.

Independent

I'm of a younger vintage; I grew up fetishising sports shoes and am secretly thrilled that after years when technical trainers played runner-up to scruffy Converse plimsolls, colourful, mass-produced blobjects are back on fashionable feet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were named plimsolls in 1876 by a salesman for the Liverpool Rubber Company.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing or footwear, "plimsoll" adds a touch of specificity, particularly when emphasizing its simple, often canvas-and-rubber construction.

Common error

Avoid using "plimsoll" interchangeably with more modern athletic shoes. "Plimsoll" suggests a basic, often vintage or retro, style of canvas shoe, distinct from high-tech trainers or sneakers.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "plimsoll" is as a noun, referring to a specific type of shoe. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples where it's used to describe footwear in various contexts. It can also denote a line on a ship, but most examples refer to the shoe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

5%

The New Yorker

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

The Guardian - Sport

1%

The Guardian

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "plimsoll" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a specific type of simple canvas shoe with a rubber sole. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. While "plimsoll" can also refer to a load line on ships, its primary communicative purpose revolves around describing footwear. Its register leans towards neutral, often appearing in contexts related to fashion, casual wear, or historical settings. When writing, be mindful of distinguishing "plimsolls" from more modern athletic shoes, as the term carries connotations of simplicity and a vintage style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plimsoll line

The marking on a ship indicating safe loading limits, directly related to the term's nautical origin.

canvas shoe

A more general term referring to shoes made of canvas, sharing the material aspect of "plimsoll".

rubber-soled shoe

Highlights the specific type of sole that characterizes a "plimsoll".

gym shoe

Another general term referring to footwear used in athletic or physical activities, much like "plimsoll".

tennis shoe

Focuses on a particular sport for which "plimsolls" or similar shoes are often used.

deck shoe

Specifies a type of shoe often worn on boats, historically similar in function to the "plimsoll".

sneaker

A broader, more modern term that encompasses many types of athletic shoes, including those similar to "plimsolls".

trainer

British English term for sneakers or athletic shoes, synonymous with the shoe type of a "plimsoll".

casual footwear

A general term indicating the informality of "plimsolls" as shoes intended for leisure.

load line

Refers to the mark on a ship, which is a related but distinct meaning of "plimsoll".

FAQs

What is a "plimsoll"?

A "plimsoll" is a type of rubber-soled canvas shoe, typically simple in design and often used for sports or casual wear. It's also related to the "plimsoll line" on ships, indicating safe loading limits.

Are "plimsolls" still worn today?

Yes, while they may not be as common as modern sneakers, "plimsolls" are still worn, often for casual or retro fashion. You might also see them in specific sports or activities.

What's the difference between a "plimsoll" and a sneaker?

The term "sneaker" is broader and includes a wide range of athletic shoes, often with advanced features and materials. A "plimsoll" is a specific, simpler type of canvas shoe with a rubber sole, typically more basic in design and construction. Alternatives to sneaker could be "gym shoe".

Where does the name "plimsoll" come from?

The name "plimsoll" is said to derive from Samuel Plimsoll, a British politician who advocated for maritime safety. The line on a ship indicating its maximum safe load is also called a "Plimsoll line", and the shoe was supposedly named because its band around the sole resembled that line.