You have probably been walking or driving through a neighborhood when you see a pair of sneakers tied together by the shoelaces and thrown up on a power line, though I don’t think that’s as common as it was when I was a kid. I had no idea that there were so many theories regarding the significance of this behavior; I always thought it was just something that occasionally happened among the neighborhood kids.

According to the first theory, soldiers used to throw away their boots after completing their assignment or training during the war. Perhaps this symbolism is the source of all other theories. Who can tell? Another widespread misconception is that gangs use the act of throwing shoes up on a power line to demarcate their territory and warn other gangs to stay away. This theory has never been precisely validated, though.

Seeing shoes up on a power line is often thought to be the result of children bullying one another. A kid is left without shoes after local bullies take their sneakers and toss them up on a power line in at least two of the movies that come to mind. I hope this theory isn’t very strong, but I’m sure there have been a few instances over the years where it has been regrettably true.

The most widely accepted theory—and the one I personally support the most—is that people throw their sneakers onto power lines “just because.” Perhaps using an old pair of sneakers seems like a fun idea. The first pair thrown up there inspires others to follow suit, just like so many other behaviors. This is a perfect example of children being children, in my opinion.