A cord or cord-like string used to fasten and tie a shoe; a simple everyday object.
From 'shoe' (Old English 'scoh') combined with 'lace' (Old French 'lacier' from Latin 'laqueus'). The modern version emerged when shoelaces replaced older fastening methods in the 1600s.
Shoelaces are a surprisingly recent invention—before the 1600s, shoes were fastened with buckles or buttons. The humble shoelace represents a turning point when comfort and practicality beat out elaborate decoration in fashion.
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