We always called them thongs when I was a kid but that name seems to have been re-appropriated to an entirely different piece of apparel. I’ve heard them called jandals or (warning: racist!) jap flaps, and other names I can’t recall at the moment.
I know you’ve all worn them. The basic flat, foot shaped piece of stiff foam rubber with straps on either side that meet at the front in a little stem that goes between your big toe and the rest of your toes. (Boy, I’m not going to win any prizes for description today!)
So what do YOU call them?
“non sunt multiplicanda entia praeter necessitatem”
– William of Ockham
Yes, flip-flops is a term I’ve heard. I was looking for an unambiguous way to refer to that particular footwear (see the “fall down - go boom!” thread) but I didn’t know a word we would all recognize. I would really hate for people to misunderstand when I said I was wearing thongs! (I wimped out and said I was wearing sandals.)
I remembered the other name my wife uses – locals. I think it’s a brand name.
“non sunt multiplicanda entia praeter necessitatem”
– William of Ockham
Funny flip flop story. We were at the beach and my mom bought my dad a pair. He had never open shoes before (sandals, flip flops, etc) and was very wary of them.
He finally relented and tried them on. Picture this…a large man- 6’ 2" 230lbs walking around in flip flops while trying to keep them from making their natural “flip-flop” noise. I wish I could decribe it better, it was a riot.
