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	Flip-flop
Types of footwear

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Jandal. (Discuss)

Flip-flops_%28worn%29.jpg" A pair of well-used flip-flops

In footwear and fashion, flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal that consist of simple soles held on the foot by a V-shaped strap that passes between the toes and around either side of the foot, attached to the sole at three points. They appear to have been developed out of traditional Japanese woven or wooden soled sandals in New Zealand.

Nomenclature

This sandal is known by different names in different localities:

• In New Zealand English they are known genericaly as jandals (Japanese Sandals), a name used by one manufacturer. However intellectual property law prevented the term Jandals being used when sold in other countries.
• In the United States, they are generally known as flip-flops, thongs, zories or go-aheads (especially rubber thongs).
• In Australian English these are known as thongs, and often are referred to as an Australian Icon.
• In South Africa they are also known as slops.
• In Hawaii, flip-flops are known as slippers.
• In the Philippines, they are called tsinelas.

Uses and Fashions

Thongs.jpg" A relatively new pair of cheap thongs

Flip-flops periodically become a fashion rage in the West: although they are often associated with the beach or swimming pool, they are immensely popular as everyday casual shoes in many situations, especially with teenagers and young adults, and are now available in a wide variety of materials (leather, transparent plastic, rubber, wood, etc.) and price ranges from US$300+ to under US$1.

In many developing countries, especially in the tropics, rubber flip-flops are by far the cheapest manufactured footwear available. In some places, domestically-produced sandals are available for the equivalent of less than US$1 and, despite their disposable design, street vendors will repair worn sandals for a small fee. Sometimes these flip-flops are made of recycled rubber tires, lowering the cost even more. They are many economically disadvantaged peoples' only footwear, and hence are worn for a wide variety of tasks, including farming, construction, and other heavy manual work.

Although flip-flops are one of the most simple, humble forms of footwear, many people consider them comfortable. Flip-flops tend to conform to the foot structure of the wearer. Some people like to wear the sandals every day. Unfortunately, flip-flops are often not very sturdy and the straps may snap after moderate use. They can be fixed, but many people choose to just buy new ones.

The term "flip-flop" derives from the rhythmic slapping noise that the sandals make while slapping against the wearer's heels as he or she walks. They seem to be worn with almost any combination of clothing, and some regular users even wear them in the wintertime.

In late July 2005, some members of Northwestern University's national champion women's lacrosse team were criticized for wearing flip-flops to the White House to meet with President George W. Bush. Some felt that flip-flops were inappropriately informal to wear to the White House, while others felt that some flip-flops are fashionable footwear and are appropriate for the summer months.

See also

• Espadrilles
• Geta (footwear)
• Zori
• Jandal
• Waraji
• Slipper
• Sandal (footwear)

		© Ragnar Torfason 2005 December 28