TikTok Is In A Tizzy About This ‘Shoe Theory’ Which Predicts Breakups Over The Holiday Season

Whoopsie daisy if you’re one of the thousands of people who bought shoes as a Christmas present, ‘cos Gen Z has unearthed a “shoe theory” that gifting a pair to your partner leads to breakups. The exact origins of the shoe theory are contested, and it seems likely to have its roots in a couple of different superstitions and beliefs. One origin is China, where the word “shoe” sounds similar to the word “evil” in Mandarin and “rough” in Cantonese according to the South China Morning Post. This means giving a partner shoes can be a signal your relationship is ending, or bring it bad luck. And here I was just thinking they wanted a hot new pair of kicks for summer! TikToker Angela Chan