Thongs
Meaning
Thongs are a type of casual, open-toed sandal, typically made of rubber or plastic, with a Y-shaped strap that passes between the first two toes, especially common in Australia and other Commonwealth countries.
Origin
The word 'thong' traces its roots deep into Old English, from 'þwong' or 'þwang,' which simply meant a flexible strip of leather or other material. For centuries, thongs were practical items—used as lashes for whips, slings, or bindings. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that the word embarked on its divergent modern life. Inspired by traditional Japanese 'zori' sandals, simple rubber footwear with a strap between the toes exploded in popularity, especially in post-war Australia, where they became universally known as 'thongs.' Around the same time, the minimalist underwear, characterized by a narrow strip of fabric, also adopted the name 'thong,' due to its literal resemblance to those ancient, simple strips of material.
Examples
- After a long day at the beach, she slipped into her comfortable thongs.
- Many Australians wear thongs as their everyday footwear during the warmer months.