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Flip-flop

In footwear Footwear

Footwear consists of garment [i]s worn on the feet [i].... 

 and fashion Fashion

The term fashion usually applies to a prevailing mode of expression, but quite often applies to a person... 

, flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal that consist of a flat sole held on the foot by a V-shaped strap that passes between the first and second toes and around either side of the foot, attached to the sole at three points, commonly known as the thong strap. They appear to have been developed out of traditional Japan Japan

is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

ese woven or wooden soled sandals in New Zealand New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean [i] consisting of two large islands and many ... 

.

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Encyclopedia



In footwear Footwear

Footwear consists of garment [i]s worn on the feet [i].... 

 and fashion Fashion

The term fashion usually applies to a prevailing mode of expression, but quite often applies to a person... 

, flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal that consist of a flat sole held on the foot by a V-shaped strap that passes between the first and second toes and around either side of the foot, attached to the sole at three points, commonly known as the thong strap. They appear to have been developed out of traditional Japan Japan

is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

ese woven or wooden soled sandals in New Zealand New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean [i] consisting of two large islands and many ... 

.

Nomenclature


This sandal is known by different names in different localities:
  • In New Zealand English they are known generically as jandals , a name used by one manufacturer. However intellectual property law prevented the term Jandals being used when sold in other countries.
  • In Australian English Australian English

    Australian English is the form of the English language [i] used in Australia [i].

... 

 these are known as thongs or pluggers or Darra loafers , and often are considered an Australian icon.
  • In Indonesia Indonesia

    Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

    , they are known as sandal jepit .
  • In the United States United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

    , they are generally known as flip-flops, thongs, and beach walkers
  • In Hawaii Hawaii

    Hawaii became the 50th state [i] of the United States [i] on August 21 [i], 1959 [i]. ... 

     and Netherlands Netherlands

    The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

    , flip-flops are known as slippers or slippas
  • In Brazil Brazil

    Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

     and Portugal Portugal

    Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic is located in southwestern Europe [i] on the Iberian Peninsula [i] ... 

    , they are known as sandálias and sometimes havaianas
  • In South Africa South Africa

    The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the Africa [i]n continent [i]. ... 

     they are also known as slops.
  • In Argentina Argentina

    Argentina is a country in southern South America [i]. ... 

     they are known as ojotas.
  • In Peru Peru

    Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America [i], bordering Ecuador [i]... 

     they are known as sayonaras or slaps.
  • In Poland Poland

    Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country located in Central Europe [i]. ... 

     they are known same as in New Zealand - Japonki .
  • In Italy Italy

    Italy, officially the Italian Republic , is a Southern European [i] country. ... 

     they are known as infradito .
  • In Malaysia Malaysia

    Malaysia is a federation [i] of 13 states [i] in Southeast Asia [i], formed in 1963.

... 

 they are known as Selipar Jepun
  • In Philippines Philippines

    The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

     they are known as Tsinelas.
  • In Japan Japan

    is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

    , modern western style flip-flops are known as sandaru, differenciating them from traditional Japanese footwear.
  • In Mexico Mexico

    The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

     they are known as Chanclas or Guaraches.
  • In Turkey Turkey

    Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a Eurasia [i]n country that stretches across the Anatolia [i] ... 

     they are known as Tokyo
  • In Russia Russia

    Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country [i] that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia [i] ... 

     they are known as Lyagushki or Shlepki

Uses and fashions

Flip flops were not always the fashion staple many consider them today. Up until the late 1990s, flip flops were considered strictly poolside or beach wear. They were poorly made and generally purchased at drugstores Drugstore

Drugstore is a common term for a pharmacy [i].
... 

 or discount stores Department store

A department store is a retail [i] establishment which specializes in selling a wide range of products w ... 

 for a dollar or less. Today, flip flops have even become acceptable for casual evening wear, as evidenced by the prevalence of more comfortable, better-made, and more expensive styles.

In developing countries Developing country

A developing country is a country [i] with a relatively low standard of living [i], undeveloped industrial base [i] ... 

, rubber flip-flops are the cheapest footwear available – typically less than $ United States dollar

For details of current paper money [i] and coins, see Federal Reserve Note [i] and United States coinage [i] ... 

1. Despite their disposable design, street vendors will repair worn sandals for a small fee. Sometimes flip-flops are made of recycled rubber tire Tire

A tire or tyre is a device covering the circumference of a wheel.... 

s, reducing the cost even further. They are the footwear of choice for indigent workers, being worn for farming, construction, and other heavy manual work.

Flip flops are also popular with barefoot Barefoot

Going barefoot is the practice of walking without shoe [i]s, sock [i]s, or other foot covering.
... 

ers when they have to wear shoes since they allow the foot to be out in the open but still constitute a shoe Shoe

A shoe is an item of footwear [i]. ... 

, and are quickly and easily removed to expose the bare foot. They are also popular because they are easy to bring in a backpack Backpack

A backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that... 

 or purse Purse

----
In American English [i], a purse is a small bag [i], also called a handbag.
... 

 because of their flat design.

Many people consider flip-flops comfortable, and 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, discarding of the old ones. The average life expectancy Life expectancy

Life expectancy is heavily dependent on the criteria used to select the group.... 

 of a pair is perhaps only a year or so.

The term "flip-flop" derives from the rhythmic slapping noise that the sandals make while slapping against the wearer's heels and the floor as he or she walks. In recent years, flip-flops have become a popular fashion statement, especially among high school and college age females. They seem to be worn with almost any combination of clothing, and some regular users even wear them in the wintertime, although more commonly of the slide variety and with socks. They are most commonly worn in the summertime, usually with shorts, but sometimes by women with capri pants or jeans.

On July 19, 2005, some members of Northwestern University Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private [i], coeducational [i], non-sectarian [i] research university [i] ... 

's national champion women's lacrosse Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport [i] that is played by ten players or twelve players , each of whom ... 

 team were criticized for wearing flip-flops to the White House White House

The White House is the official home and principal workplace of the President of the United States of America [i] ... 

 to meet with President George W. Bush George W. Bush

This page is monitored by many people and bots, and joke edits are removed quickly.
... 

. Many weighed in on this controversy including Meghan Cleary, a footwear expert, who stated that a closed-toe shoe would have been more appropriate. Cleary noted on MSNBC's program as saying the flip-flop flap indicated a cultural shift similar to when blue jeans were first worn in public.

Flip-flops are the stripped-down essence 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 Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

, New Zealand, other Pacific Islands Pacific Islands

The Pacific Ocean [i] has an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 islands; the exact number has not been precisely ... 

, and East Asia East Asia

East Asia is a subregion [i] of Asia [i] that can be defined in either geographical [i] or cul ... 

.

In East Asia, where it is common to leave shoes outside the house and the use of squat toilet Squat toilet

A squat toilet is a toilet [i] used by squatting, rather than sitting. ... 

s is common, flip-flops are typically provided to wear while using the toilet.

The use of flip-flops has also been encouraged in some branches of European and North American military as sanitary footwear in communal showers, where wearing flip-flops slows the spread of fungal infections. Following on from this, some soldiers and other trampers or hikers have begun carrying flip-flops, or a pair of flip-flop soles sewn to socks, as a lightweight emergency replacement for damaged boots.

Indeed, the Indian manifestation of the flip-flop, the chappal Flip-flop

In footwear [i] and fashion [i], flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal [i] that consist ... 

, has even been known to be deployed as a weapon, both as a truncheon and a missile, although it is more commonly merely a threat. It is not unheard of for people to whip off their chappals in the heat of an argument, in order to make their aggravation more palpable to the other party.

Flip-flops were inspired by the traditional woven soled zori Zori

Zori are thonged Japanese sandal [i]s made of rice straw or other plant fibers, lacquered wood, o ... 

 or "Japanese Sandals", . Woven Japanese zori Zori

Zori are thonged Japanese sandal [i]s made of rice straw or other plant fibers, lacquered wood, o ... 

 had been used as beach wear in New Zealand in the 1930s, ; in the austere immediate post war period in both New Zealand and America versions were briefly popularized by servicemen returning from occupied Japan, but the idea of making them from rubber or plastics, which were relatively new at the time, does not appear to have occurred for another decade.
The modern design was invented in Auckland, New Zealand New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean [i] consisting of two large islands and many ... 

 by Maurice Yock in the 50's and patented in 1957.

Despite being commonly used to describe any manufacturer's Jandals, the word Jandal has been a trademark since 1957, for a long time owned by the Skellerup company. At one point a competitor sold Jandels.
In countries outside the Pacific, jandals have, for intellectual property reasons, become known by other names, for example Thongs in Australia, where the first pair were manufactured by Skellerup rival Dunlop Dunlop Tyres

Dunlop Tyres is an international United Kingdom [i]-based company [i] founded in 1888 by John Boyd Dunlop [i]... 

 in 1960, or Flip-Flop Flip-flop

In footwear [i] and fashion [i], flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal [i] that consist ... 

s .

In New Zealand, the phrase "to handle the jandal" is a common idiom. As an example, Barry can't handle the jandal indicates that the subject Barry is incapable of dealing with his particular situation.

Flip-flops in popular culture

  • in the lyrics of the 1977 hit Margaritaville Margaritaville

    "Margaritaville" is a 1977 [i] song [i] by Jimmy Buffett [i] from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes [i] ... 

     by Jimmy Buffet Jimmy Buffett

    Jimmy Buffett is a singer [i], songwriter [i], and recently a film producer [i] best known for his "isla ... 

     "I blew out my flip-flop"
  • Flip-flops have come to be seen as an important item of Kiwiana, and are often referenced in New Zealand and Pacific Island Culture. A Jandal designed to be posted and sent through the mail was produced as a gimmick to send overseas. Jandals can be seen in:
  • at the closing ceremony for the 2000 Olympics 2000 Summer Olympics

    The 2000 Summer Olympics or the Millennium Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Ol... 

     in Sydney Sydney

    Sydney is the most populous city in Australia [i] with a metropolitan area [i] population of over 4.2 m ... 

    , Kylie Minogue Kylie Minogue

    Kylie Ann Minogue is an Australian [i] singer [i]-songwriter [i], dance [i]r, and occasional ... 

     was carried into the stadium on a giant thong to perform "On a Night Like This On a Night like This

    "On a Night like This" was written to the Swedish artist Pandora, by the British Metro Production and be... 

    ".
  • the cartoon Footrot Flats Footrot Flats

    Footrot Flats was a comic strip [i] written by New Zealand [i] cartoonist Murray Ball [i]. ... 

    , where farming characters like Wal and Rangi wear them, when not wearing gumboots Wellington boot

    The Wellington boot, also known as a welly, a wellie, a gumboot or a rubber boot... 

  • in the Naked Samoans inspired television family, Mrs. Samesi's usual method of showing displeasure is a well-aimed jandal,
  • in wearable art, a number of up-market and quirky jandal designs have appeared,
  • in the cartoon sitcom Bro'Town Bro'Town

    Bro'Town is New Zealand [i]'s first adult [i]-targeted animated series [i]. ... 

    , where characters frequently wear jandals, and in the episode, "The Wong One", jandals were used as a Kung Fu Chinese martial arts

    This article provides a general overview of Chinese martial arts.... 

     weapon
  • in the lyrics of King Kapisi King Kapisi

    King Kapisi is a Hip Hop artist prominant in the New Zealand/Australasian Hip-Hop music scene.... 

    , "I'm goin' stompin, in my big Pacific Island jandals," and in his music videos, in one of which jandals were used to take bids at a sheep auction
  • The Golden Jandal, awarded at the Radio Active 89FM Handle the Jandal awards, to celebrate D.I.Y. music videos for New Zealand music.
  • NZ culture news and links site, "Dag and Jandal".
  • NZ TV series Jandals Away.
  • In the Online MRPG VMK green flip-flops are one of the most sought-after items
  • A popular campaign theme for the Republican Party was to label 2004 Presidential candidate John Kerry John Kerry

    + style="font-size: larger;" | John Forbes Kerry

... 

 as indecisive on the issues, or a "flip-flopper." Delegates at the 2004 Republican National Convention 2004 Republican National Convention

The 2004 Republican National Convention, the presidential nominating convention [i] ... 

 could be seen waving flip-flops.
  • In movie It's All Gone Pete Tong It's All Gone Pete Tong

    It's All Gone Pete Tong [i] is a 2004 fiction [i]al independent [i] biopic [i] ... 

    , flip-flops are one of the main motive and major figure of DJ Frankie Wilde said "Flip-flop is to me perfection."
  • In 2005, the Northwestern Women's Lacrosse Lacrosse

    Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport [i] that is played by ten players or twelve players , each of whom ... 

     team had a photograph taken with President George W. Bush George W. Bush

    This page is monitored by many people and bots, and joke edits are removed quickly.

... 

. The photo raised significant controversy because several of the women wore flip-flops in the picture, sparking a debate over proper attire in youth culture.
  • Recently, rapper Cam 'ron has criticized Jay-Z publicly for his wearing of jeans with chancletas, which are relatively cheap sandals usually favored by latinos. However, many believe Jay-Z was actually wearing some form of expensive slipper, not the relatively cheap chancletas, which are usually worn with socks and not with jeans.

Health concerns


While commonly believed to be comfortable, flip-flops provide little to no ankle support, and are responsible for many foot related issues. Dr. John E. Mancuso, a podiatrist at the Manhattan Podiatry Associates in New York pointed out that some flip-flops have a spongy sole, so when then foot hits the ground, it rolls inward and the sponge allows it to roll even more than usual. This is known as pronation and causes many problems in the foot. Each time a foot hits the ground, the arch is supposed to be locked to absorb shock. But during pronation, the arch opens and releases this locking mechanism, leading to problems such as pain in the heel, the arch, the toes and in the forefoot. Exacerbating this, some flip-flops force a person to overuse the tendons in the foot, which can cause tendonitis.

Ankle sprains are also common due to stepping off a curb or stepping wrong, the ankle bends, but the flip flop does not hold on to nor supports it. The open nature of flip-flops also exposes the foot to the enviroment. Dirty side walks and tall grass can lead to an increased chance of infection.

See also

  • Espadrilles Espadrilles

    Espadrilles are casual sandal [i]s originating from the Pyrenees.... 

  • Geta
  • Zori Zori

    Zori are thonged Japanese sandal [i]s made of rice straw or other plant fibers, lacquered wood, o ... 

  • Waraji Waraji

    Waraji are sandals [i] made from straw [i] rope [i] that in the past were the standard footwear o ... 

  • Slipper Slipper

    A slipper, also called houseshoe, is a soft and lightweight indoor type of footwear [i]. ... 

  • Sandal
  • Chappal Flip-flop

    In footwear [i] and fashion [i], flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal [i] that consist ... 








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