Definition of loafer

The word "loafer" has a fascinating etymology. It originated in the 18th century and is related to the Algonquian language, spoken by Native American tribes in Canada and the northeastern United States. In particular, the word comes from the Abenaki language, in which "elawfa'er" means "one who moccasins" or "shoeless one." In the early 18th century, European settlers used the term to describe the Native American men who wore moccasins, which were soft, slipper-like shoes made of deerskin or other materials. Over time, the term "loafer" became associated with people who wore relaxed, slipper-like footwear, often without laces or ties. Today, the word "loafer" is commonly used to describe a type of casual shoe or a person who wears such shoes, often as a fashionable or laid-back choice.