Though less common today, you’ve probably seen sneakers tied by their laces and tossed onto a power line. As a kid, I assumed it was just something children did for fun, but various theories suggest deeper meanings.
One theory traces back to wartime, where soldiers supposedly threw their boots onto power lines after completing training or an assignment. This may have influenced other interpretations. Some believe gangs use shoes to mark their territory, though there’s no solid evidence to support this.
Another theory suggests it stems from bullying, as seen in movies where a kid’s sneakers are tossed onto a power line, leaving them stranded without shoes. However, the most common belief—and the one I find most plausible—is that it happens simply for fun. Tossing old shoes might seem amusing, and once people see it, they imitate the trend. In the end, it’s often just kids being kids.
