I am posting this to sports because I think it can remain "sports" and not devolve into P&R.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Taylor_All-Stars
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star basketball shoes have been in the news lately. I have heard some people refer to them as "Chucks".  I don't remember hearing them referred to that way before.  I grew up in urban environments ("asphalt jungles") and lived in the Northeast US all of my life.  Where I come from, the shoes were known as "Cons", not "Chucks".  
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At school, Cons were the preferred shoe for sports and casual wear. Keds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keds
were at a lower tier, but somewhat respectable. Then came the no-name or chain brand or store name sneakers.  
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What were Cons or Chucks known as where you grew up or lived? Other than Keds, were there other competitors in your area?