Zさん：“The term 靴下 confuses me.”
Aさん：「Oh, here we go.」
Zさん：“下 means 'under', as in 机の下(under the desk). So wouldn't 靴下 refer to the ground (under the shoe)? Plus, with a different kanji, 靴舌is pronounced the same, but means a shoe “tongue”. I think 靴中 makes much more sense for socks.”
Aさん：「Here's an idea: just don't wear socks.」
Zさん：“ … and what, wear 下駄？Oh, don't get me started on 下駄！What with the...”
Aさん：「。。。」
Punny Japanese: There's Some Ginger! edo@punnyjapanese.com
This blog is one gaijin's attempt to learn Japanese through mnemonics, puns, and general linguistic absurdity.
Z-san explains: "靴(kutsu) means shoe, 靴下(kutsu shita) means sock, 下駄(geta) is a traditional Japanese wooden sandal. I think 靴中 is a great idea, but it probably won't catch on..."
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