If you’ve ever visited the US and asked for slippers at a store, only to get confused looks, you’re not alone. The word slippers sounds perfectly normal if you’re from the UK, Australia, or Canada. But in many parts of the US, people don’t say it at all. So what do they call those soft, indoor shoes you slip on after a long day? And why does this difference even exist?
What Americans Actually Call Indoor Shoes
In the US, the most common term isn’t slippers-it’s house shoes. You’ll hear that in grocery stores, online reviews, and casual conversations from Ohio to Oregon. Some folks say indoor shoes, especially if they’re talking about keeping dirt off the carpet. Others, especially in the South and Midwest, say house slippers-but that’s a hybrid term, not the pure British version.
Why the shift? It’s partly about function. In many American homes, especially in colder regions, indoor footwear isn’t just for comfort-it’s about warmth and hygiene. People wear them because they don’t want to track snow, mud, or dog hair into the house. That practical angle makes house shoes feel more descriptive, and therefore more natural.
Meanwhile, in the UK, slippers carry a cultural weight. They’re often linked to cozy evenings, tea, and old-fashioned comfort. British slippers are typically made of wool, velvet, or plush fabric, with a closed heel and soft sole. American versions? Often more like flip-flops with a fuzzy top, or rubber-soled slides. The difference in design reflects different habits.
Regional Differences Within the US
Don’t assume all Americans think the same. In New England, you might hear slippers more often, especially among older generations who grew up with British-influenced vocabulary. In cities like Boston or Portland, you’ll find stores labeled Slipper Section-but they’re the exception.
In California, people are more likely to say slides or flip-flops for indoor wear, even if they’re not meant for the beach. That’s because slides became popular as loungewear in the 2000s, and the term stuck. Brands like UGG and Crocs pushed this trend, marketing their fuzzy footwear as house slides or indoor slides.
On the East Coast, especially in New York and Philadelphia, you’ll hear house shoes or indoor shoes more than anything else. In the South, slippers is still used-but mostly for traditional leather or suede styles worn with socks, not fuzzy ones.
Why the UK Keeps Saying ‘Slippers’
In the UK, slippers has never really gone out of style. It’s a word passed down through generations. Grandparents still buy them for Christmas. Department stores like John Lewis have entire aisles labeled Slippers. Even younger people in their 20s and 30s use the word without thinking.
The reason? British homes tend to have more carpeted floors, less central heating, and a stronger tradition of indoor footwear as a comfort ritual. Slippers aren’t just practical-they’re part of a lifestyle. There’s even a cultural stereotype: the British person in slippers, reading the paper, sipping tea. It’s not just about feet-it’s about rhythm, pace, and calm.
Meanwhile, in the US, the idea of wearing dedicated indoor shoes feels more like a chore than a ritual. Many Americans prefer bare feet or socks indoors. Slippers are often seen as old-fashioned, or only for elderly relatives.
What’s in a Word? Language, Culture, and Comfort
This isn’t just about vocabulary. It’s about how people relate to their homes. In the UK, slippers are a sign of relaxation. In the US, comfort is more likely to come from bare feet, socks, or even going barefoot on hardwood floors.
There’s also a generational split. Americans under 35 are more likely to wear slides or flip-flops indoors, especially after the pandemic. Remote work made home comfort a priority-and brands responded with fuzzy slides, memory foam slippers, and even slipper sandals with grippy soles.
But here’s the twist: even when Americans wear what Brits would call slippers, they rarely call them that. A 2023 survey by the American Dialect Society found that 68% of respondents under 40 used house shoes or slides, while only 12% used slippers. Among those over 60, the number jumped to 34%-showing a clear generational shift.
What Happens When You Say ‘Slippers’ in the US?
Try saying slippers in a US shoe store. You might get a blank stare. Or worse-you’ll be handed a pair of flip-flops with a rubber sole and a faux fur top, labeled indoor slides. The associate might say, “These are great for the house.” You’ll nod, smile, and buy them-but you’ll know they’re not what you meant.
Online shopping is even trickier. If you search slippers on Amazon US, you’ll get mostly fuzzy, slip-on shoes. But the product titles say house slippers, indoor slippers, or cozy house shoes. The word slippers alone is often buried in the description.
It’s not that Americans don’t understand the word. They do. But it sounds foreign. Like saying lorry instead of truck, or flat instead of apartment. It’s not wrong-it’s just not how most people talk.
When ‘Slippers’ Works in the US
There are exceptions. If you’re buying vintage or luxury footwear, slippers is still used. Brands like Clarks or Birkenstock use the term in their US catalogs when describing traditional styles. High-end home stores like Williams-Sonoma label their wool-lined footwear as slippers to evoke warmth and craftsmanship.
Also, if you’re talking to someone with British, Australian, or Canadian roots, they’ll instantly know what you mean. And if you’re writing fiction set in the UK, using slippers adds authenticity.
But for everyday American life? Stick to house shoes or slides. That’s what people actually say.
Final Thought: It’s Not About Right or Wrong
Language evolves differently in different places. Neither side is wrong. The British say slippers because it’s always been that way. Americans say house shoes because it describes the function more clearly. One isn’t better-it’s just different.
Next time you’re in a US store and someone asks, “Are you looking for slippers?” don’t assume they’re confused. They might just be using the word you use. But if you want to be understood quickly, say house shoes. You’ll save time, avoid awkwardness, and maybe even find a pair you love.
Do Americans use the word ‘slippers’ at all?
Yes, but rarely in everyday speech. Most Americans under 40 use terms like ‘house shoes’ or ‘slides.’ Older generations and those with British ties are more likely to say ‘slippers,’ but even then, it’s often paired with ‘house’-like ‘house slippers.’
What’s the difference between slippers and house shoes?
In the UK, ‘slippers’ refers to soft, indoor footwear with a closed heel, often made of wool or velvet. In the US, ‘house shoes’ usually means any slip-on shoe worn indoors-this includes fuzzy slippers, slides, or even rubber-soled shoes. The term ‘house shoes’ is broader and more functional.
Why do Americans prefer ‘house shoes’ over ‘slippers’?
‘House shoes’ describes the purpose clearly: shoes you wear only inside the house. It’s practical language. ‘Slippers’ sounds old-fashioned or overly cozy to many Americans, and doesn’t reflect the wide variety of indoor footwear available today, from Crocs to memory foam slides.
Are slippers still sold in the US?
Absolutely. But they’re usually labeled as ‘house slippers,’ ‘indoor slippers,’ or ‘cozy house shoes.’ You’ll find them in department stores, online retailers, and specialty shops. The product is the same, but the naming has changed to match how Americans talk.
Is it wrong to say ‘slippers’ in the US?
No, it’s not wrong. But it might cause confusion or require extra explanation. If you say ‘slippers,’ some people will understand you, others might think you mean something specific-like a traditional wool slipper. For smooth communication, ‘house shoes’ is the safer choice.