FLIP-FLOPS

In footwear and fashion, flip-flops (also known as thongs) are a flat, backless, usually rubber sandal consisting of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap that passes between the first (big) and second toes and around either side of the foot. They appear to have been developed based on traditional Japanese woven or wooden soled sandals.

The flip-flop is not the only type of thong sandal. Other types exist, many of which are dressier and more formal than simple flip-flops. A basic thong sandal is held on the foot by a strip that fits between the first and second toes and is connected to a strap usually passing over the top or around the sides of the foot. Some thong sandals have a strap that forms a loop around the first (big) toe. However, many different additions and variations of straps are possible. Thong sandals come in a variety of styles such as women's heels, slides, and wedges, or kitten heels.

Flip-flops have a style of their own, different from other types of shoes. These dressier versions of the thong sandal are often made of leather, suede, patent leather, metallic finishes, fabric and other textiles. Based upon prevailing fashion, they are sometimes embellished with buckles, jewelry, fringes, medallions and beading. In their more formal incarnations, thong sandals are interchangeable with any other dressy sandal, and are often worn as dress shoes. The term "flip-flop" is not generically used to describe this dressier style of thong sandal.

Because of the popularity of thong sandals as dress shoes, hosiery manufacturers make hose (stockings) with a gap between the first toe and second toes to accommodate the thong.

This sandal is known by different names in different localities. In Argentina, they are known as ojotas. In Australian English these are known as thongs. In Brazil they are known as sandálias or chinelos. In Canada they are known as flip flops although thongs is a very common term. In Chile they are known as sandalias or chalas (second one is informal). In Croatia, they are known as japanke, meaning Japanese (slippers is implied). In Czech republic and in Slovakia they are known as žabky (translated means frogs). In Denmark they are known as klip-klappere. In El Salvador, they are known as yinas and chancletas. In French they are known as tongs or claquettes, but in Quebec they are known as gougounes. In Germany they are known as flip flops. In Hungary they are known as vietnami papucs (translates as Vietnamese slipper). In Italy, they are called infradito, literally inter-toes. In Malta, they are known as "karkur". In Mexico, they are called "chanclas." In New Zealand English they are known generically as jandals (Japanese sandals). In Russia and Ukraine they are known as vyetnamki meaning "Vietnamese", or slancy - by the name of a town (Slancy), where they have been made since Soviet era.

Flip-flops are a very basic type of footwear – essentially a thin rubber sole with two simple straps running in a Y from the sides of the foot to the join between the big toe and next toe. Popular use of flip-flops as simple warm climate beach or outdoor wear has spread through much of the world, although it is most common in Australia, New Zealand, California and Florida (USA), the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia.

In most developing countries, rubber flip-flops are the cheapest footwear available – typically less than $1, and many measures are used to reduce cost, such as making them out of recycled tires. Because of this, they are very widely used in these countries as typical footwear instead of a fashion statement. Despite their disposable design, street vendors will repair worn sandals for a small fee.

Flip-flops are very economic shoes not just in developing countries, but also in countries such as the US. They are generally very cheap, and made to be disposable. The strap between the toes can snap very easily after moderate use, but this problem was somewhat alleviated with the invention of replacement straps that could be "snapped" back into place on a shoe. Still, the average life expectancy of a pair is perhaps only a year or so, not counting the strap, depending on the material make-up of the soles.

Flip flops are also popular with barefooters when they have to wear shoes since they allow the foot to be out in the open but still constitute a shoe, and can be quickly and easily removed. They are also popular because they are easy to carry.

In Japan and Korea, where it is common to leave shoes outside the house and the use of squat toilets is common, flip-flops are typically provided to wear while using the toilet.

The term flip-flop can also refer to any backless sandals so that they "flip and flop."

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