What Do Americans Call Slippers? A Guide for Irish Readers on US vs Irish Terms

If you’ve ever browsed an American online shop from Ireland or chatted with friends from the States, you’ve probably run into a bit of confusion over what exactly a ‘slipper’ is. Over here, nobody blinks when your granny says she’s lost her slippers under the couch. In Ireland, slippers are as much a part of the home as Barry’s Tea, or those hand-knit throws from Aran. But wade into US territory, and suddenly the language gets a bit slipper-y. It might sound like a tiny detail, but in the world of Irish daily life—where wet floors, cold tile, and the gentle pitter-patter of running after pets like my cat Whiskers are daily occurrences—the word ‘slipper’ is embedded in who we are.

How Do Americans Talk About Slippers?

The classic Irish slipper comes in all shapes and sizes: fluffy, grippy, sometimes with a bit of Guinness branding for good measure. When you’re in Dublin or Cork, it’s the go-to gift every Christmas, especially for mammies and grannies. But if you’re browsing Amazon.com or chatting to your New York cousin about what to pack for your visit, things start getting confusing. Americans do use the word ‘slippers,’ but often, regional differences and alternative names pop up, and you might not even realise it at first.

Across most of the United States, ‘slippers’ generally means what we mean in Ireland—comfy indoor shoes, for lounging about, keeping toes cosy, and protecting feet from chilly tiles. But it’s never that simple. Some Americans use terms like ‘house shoes’ or ‘bedroom slippers’ to be extra clear they’re talking strictly indoor footwear—not to be confused with those outdoorsy slide-on shoes you might wear to the shop for a pint of milk.

You might spot ‘moccasins’ sold as slippers in US stores. While Irish folks think of moccasins as a specific Native American style, in the US, it’s often just a catch-all for slippers with laces and fluffy insides. Take the brand Minnetonka, for example—a Minnesota-based company famous for their moccasin slippers. While here in Ireland, ‘moccasins’ is a term you’d see for certain driving shoes or fancy flats, over there, your American friend might insist her moccasins are just as good as any plain old slipper.

Certain states have their own codes. ‘House shoes’ is a Southern favourite—try saying that in a Dublin accent and see the confusion on everyone’s faces. Americans on the West Coast tend to stick with ‘slippers,’ much like us. Meanwhile, you might wander into marketing lingo online too: ‘comfort footwear,’ ‘indoor shoes,’ or even ‘lounge shoes.’ All of these might mean the trusty old slippers lining hallways in every Irish home. There’s even a fun bit of trivia: in some parts of the US, like Texas or Georgia, people joke about ‘house shoes’ having a life of their own, good enough for taking the bin out but nowhere near the pub.

If you’re checking the label in a US shop or scrolling through American brands like L.L.Bean or Dearfoams, slippers generally look like the ones you’d find in your local Dunnes or Penneys. But be on the lookout for those alternative names, which might make shopping a bit tricky—especially if you’re determined to bring a particular style back to Wexford. A survey from Statista in 2023 showed nearly 63% of Americans own slippers or some kind of dedicated indoor footwear—so while the names differ, the obsession is pretty universal.

Irish Slippers vs. American House Shoes: Oddities and Overlaps

If you take a wander through Brown Thomas or a bustling Irish Christmas Market, slippers for all ages spill from every corner. From hand-crocheted numbers at the Galway Market to colourful kids’ designs at Tesco, we’ve made indoor comfort an art. But have you ever noticed how Irish hotels leave slippers in the nicer rooms, just like you see in American movies? Funny, isn’t it, how a simple hotel gesture can bridge both cultures?

What about materials? Irish slippers love a bit of sheep’s wool, recycled felt, and the occasional support for a local brand—think Slippers Ireland, a Galway-based favorite that hand-makes thick, warm pairs perfect for draughty cottages. Stateside, materials range from synthetic fake-fur lined foam to high-end sheepskin (yes, good old UGGs, which confuse everyone—is it a shoe, a boot, or just a massive slipper?).

If you’re planning to send gifts to pals in the States, or shopping online, remember these brands and styles:

• L.L.Bean: Their ‘Wicked Good Slippers’ are iconic in Maine and far beyond. Think of them as the American answer to our Dunnes Stores classics.
• Dearfoams: Another big name across US homes, especially popular for holiday gifting.
• Isotoner: Known for memory-foam insoles, these are all about comfort and sometimes show up branded as ‘house shoes.’
• Acorn: Their ‘Spa Wrap Slippers’ could easily pass as something from a nice Irish B&B.

Irish slippers make a great gift for emigrants—there’s something about padded comfort that eases a bit of homesickness on cold mornings in Boston or Chicago. Irish houses tend to have colder floors, especially in those old stone cottages or ‘two-ups, two-downs,’ so slippers aren’t just for comfort, they’re a bit of a necessity. In America, especially warmer states like California or Florida, slippers are more about plush relaxation than warmth, but in the Northeast or Midwest, they’re vital for surviving frosty winters.

Kids’ slippers offer their own drama—anyone with little ones knows the pain of losing one to the dog or having your best pair disappear under a bed (right, Whiskers?!). Compare this to America, where cartoon-branded slippers or novelty shapes are just as common but likely labelled as ‘house shoes’ for clarity in school notes or daycare instructions.

Here’s a quick breakdown of slipper popularity by age and usage from the US (Statista, 2023):

The numbers stack up about the same for Ireland, with older adults nearly inseparable from their slippers come winter. No surprise there! And in both countries, slippers are a Christmas staple—a safe bet you’ll get at least one pair wrapped in shiny paper every year.

Tips for Irish Buyers and Travellers

Shopping for slippers in the US or buying from American stores to send home? Here’s what to watch for:

• Pay attention to the language: If you see ‘house shoes’ or ‘moccasins’, double-check the style. Sometimes, ‘house shoes’ look more like sandals—nobody wants cold toes in a stone-floor Irish kitchen!
• Sizing can be a pain: American slipper sizes are different from Irish or UK shoe sizes. Always look for conversion charts before clicking ‘buy’—especially when shopping for fussy relatives.
• Materials matter: For chilly Irish homes, stick with wool or thick faux-fur. A lot of US slippers use polyester fleece or thinner synthetics suited for warmer climates. Durable soles are a bonus for sneaky outdoor trips to the bin.
• If you travel to the States, don’t expect to find your favourite Penneys fuzzy pair at every turn. Bring your own—especially to places where everyone tips around barefoot indoors, like in parts of California or Hawaii.
• Hotel and AirBnB hosts in the US don’t always provide slippers. If you like your toes warm at night (or want to avoid sharing the floor with someone’s dog), toss a pair in the bag.
• Consider custom pairs: Irish crafters selling on Etsy or at local fairs can make gorgeous, unique slippers—great for gifts and sure to be a talking point if you’re staying with American friends.

Ever noticed the handover moment at the door? Here in Ireland, guests rarely bring their own slippers, but in Japan or Eastern Europe it’s common practice. In the US, it’s somewhere in-between. Some families keep a pile of spare ‘house shoes’ by the door, especially in snowy bits of Michigan, while in hotter states, going barefoot or sock-footed is perfectly normal.

A handy tip if you’re hosting American relatives in Limerick or Galway: have a few extra pairs of new Penneys slippers on hand. Your guests might not expect it, but the gesture always earns you a bit of Irish hospitality credit—and saves your carpets, too.

Cultural quirks pop up in the marketing too. It’s rare to see slippers featured in high-fashion ads (unless it’s Gucci making velour slides, which, by the way, are not the same as proper slippers and might get a good laugh from your mam). Instead, in the US, you’ll see ‘house shoes’ marketed for home offices or ‘WFH comfort’—something that’s caught on here too since the pandemic.

For any Irish entrepreneur shipping to the US, consider labeling your stock with multiple names: slippers, house shoes, indoor shoes, and even bedroom slippers. Americans shop by all of these, and a little translation goes a long way to boost sales. Just don’t expect Americans to adopt the lovely Irish habit of popping on the slippers with a cup of tea and a biccie at 11am!

In short, while Americans do call them ‘slippers’ most of the time, depending on where you land and who you talk to, you’ll hear all sorts of other names: house shoes, moccasins, even comfort shoes. Here in Ireland, ‘slippers’ are part of the culture—like the smell of turf, or hearing The Late Late Show theme song on a Friday night! So when you’re shopping, hosting, or heading abroad, just mind the slipper lingo—and keep your toes toasty, wherever you are.