Flip - flops - wikipedia Flip - flops For other uses, see Flip - flop. A pair of flip - flops Flip - flops are a type of sandal typically worn as a form of casual wear. They consist of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y - shaped strap that passes between the first and second toes and around both sides of the foot. This style of footwear has been worn by the people of many cultures throughout the world, originating as early as the ancient Egyptians in 1,500 B.C. The modern flip - flop descends from the Japanese zōri, which became popular after World War II when soldiers returning to the United States brought them back. They became popular unisex summer footwear starting in the 1960s. Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Design and custom 4 Health and medical implications and injuries 5 See also 6 References Etymology The term flip - flop has been used in American and British English since the 1970s to describe the thong or no - heel - strap sandal. It is an onomatopoeia of the sound made by the sandals when walking in them. They are called thongs in Australia, jandals ( originally a trademarked name derived from `` Japanese sandals '' ) in New Zealand, slops in South Africa and tsinelas in the Philippines ( or, in some Visayan localities, `` smagul '', from the word smuggled ). This footwear has a number of other names around the world. In India and Pakistan, flip - flops are commonly known as hawai chappal. The Japanese wear similarly designed, traditional straw sandals known as zōri. Throughout the world, they are known by a variety of other names, including dép tông or dép xỏ ngón in Vietnam, chinelos in Brazil, japonki in Poland, dacas in Somalia, sayonares ( σαγιονάρες ) in Greece, Schlapfen in Austria, slippers in Hawaii, Trinidad and Tobago and the Netherlands, infradito in Italy, djapanki ( джапанки ) in Bulgaria, `` charlie wote '' in Ghana and vietnamki in Russia and Ukraine. History Pair of leather thong sandals from the New Kingdom of Egypt ( ca. 1550 -- 1307 BC ) Havaianas thong ( flip - flop ) vending machine in Sydney, Australia Tabi Thong sandals have been worn for thousands of years, dating back to pictures of them in ancient Egyptian murals from 4,000 BC. A pair found in Europe was made of papyrus leaves and dated to be approximately 1,500 years old. These early versions of flip - flops were made from a wide variety of materials. Ancient Egyptian sandals were made from papyrus and palm leaves. The Masai of Africa made them out of rawhide. In India, they were made from wood. In China and Japan, rice straw was used. The leaves of the sisal plant were used to make twine for sandals in South America, while the natives of Mexico used the yucca plant. The Ancient Greeks and Romans wore versions of flip - flops as well. In Greek sandals, the toe strap was worn between the first and second toes, while Roman sandals had the strap between the second and third toes. These differ from the sandals worn by the Mesopotamians, with the strap between the third and fourth toes. In India, a related chappal ( `` toe knob '' ) sandal was common, with no straps but a small knob sitting between the first and second toes. They are known as Padukas The modern flip - flop became popular in the United States as soldiers returning from World War II brought Japanese zōri with them. It caught on in the 1950s during the postwar boom and after the end of hostilities of the Korean War. As they became adopted into American popular culture, the sandals were redesigned and changed into the bright colors that dominated 1950s design. They quickly became popular due to their convenience and comfort, and were popular in beach - themed stores and as summer shoes. During the 1960s, flip - flops became firmly associated with the beach lifestyle of California. As such, they were promoted as primarily a casual accessory, typically worn with shorts, bathing suits, or summer dresses. As they became more popular, some people started wearing them for dressier or more formal occasions. In 1962, Alpargatas marketed a version of flip - flops known as Havaianas in Brazil. By 2010, more than 150 million pairs of Havaianas were produced each year. Flip - flops quickly became popular as casual footwear of young adults. Girls would often decorate their flip - flops with metallic finishes, charms, chains, beads, rhinestones, or other jewelry. High - end flip - flops made of leather or sophisticated synthetic materials are commonly worn in place of sneakers or loafers as the standard, everyday article of casual footwear, particularly among teenagers and young adults, although it is not unusual to see older people wearing playful, thick - soled flip - flops in brilliant colors. A minor controversy erupted in 2005 when some members of Northwestern University 's national champion women 's lacrosse team visited the White House wearing flip - flops. The team responded to critics by auctioning off their flip - flops on eBay, raising $ 1,653 for young cancer patient, Jaclyn Murphy of Hopewell Junction, New York, who was befriended by the team. There is still a debate over whether this signaled a fundamental change in American culture -- many youth feel that flip - flops are dressier and can be worn in a variety of social contexts, while older generations feel that wearing them at formal occasions signifies laziness and comfort over style. In 2011, while vacationing in his native Hawaii, Barack Obama became the first President of the United States to be photographed wearing a pair of flip - flops. The Dalai Lama of Tibet is also a frequent wearer of flip - flops and has met with several U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, while wearing the sandals. While exact sales figures for flip - flops are difficult to obtain due to the large number of stores and manufacturers involved, the Atlanta - based company Flip Flop Shops claimed that the shoes were responsible for a $ 20 billion industry in 2009. Furthermore, sales of flip - flops exceeded those of sneakers for the first time in 2006. If these figures are accurate, it is remarkable considering the low cost of most flip - flops. Design and custom Flip - flops have a very simple design, consisting of a sole with a strap passing between the big and second toes. The modern flip - flop has a very simple design, consisting of a thin rubber sole with two straps running in a Y shape from the sides of the foot to the gap between the big toe and the one beside it. They typically do not have a strap around the heel, although heeled varieties are available, as well as flip - flops designed for sports, which come with added support common to athletic shoes, with the thong between the toes. Most modern flip - flops are inexpensive, costing as little as $ 5, or less in some parts of the world. They are made from a wide variety of materials, as were the ancient thong sandals. The modern sandals are made of more modern materials, such as rubber, foam, plastic, leather, suede, and even fabric. Thongs made of polyurethane have caused some environmental concerns ; because polyurethane is a number 7 resin, they ca n't be easily discarded, and they persist in landfills for a very long time. In response to these concerns, some companies have begun selling flip - flops made from recycled rubber, such as that from used bicycle tires, or even hemp, and some offer a recycling program for used flip flops. Because of the strap between the toes, flip - flops are typically not worn with socks. In colder weather, however, some people wear flip - flops with toe socks. The Japanese commonly wear tabi, a type of sock with a single slot for the thong, with their zōri. Health and Medical implications and injuries While flip - flops do provide the wearer with some mild protection from hazards on the ground, such as hot sand at the beach, glass, thumb tacks or even fungi and wart - causing viruses in locker rooms or community pools, their simple design is responsible for a host of other injuries of the foot and lower leg. In the United Kingdom in 2002, 55,100 individuals went to hospital with flip - flop related injuries. By 2010, there were 200,000 flip - flop related injuries costing the National Health Service in Britain £ 40 million. Walking for long periods in flip - flops can be very tough on the feet, resulting in pain in the ankles, legs, and feet. A 2009 study at Auburn University found that flip - flop wearers took shorter steps and their heels hit the ground with less vertical force than those wearing athletic shoes. Individuals with flat feet or other foot issues are advised to wear a shoe with better support. The lack of support provided by thong sandals is thought by some to be a major cause of injuries. Some flip - flops have a spongy sole, causing the foot to roll further inward than normal when it hits the ground -- an action called over-pronation, which is responsible for many foot problems. Overpronation may also lead to flat feet. Flip - flops can cause a person to overuse the tendons in their feet, resulting in tendonitis. The lack of an ankle strap that holds the foot in place is also a common reason for injury, as this causes wearers to scrunch their toes in an effort to keep the flip - flop in place, which can result in tendonitis. Ankle sprains or broken bones are also common injuries, due to stepping off a curb or tumbling ; the ankle bends, but the flip - flop neither holds on to nor supports it. The straps of the flip - flop may cause frictional issues, such as rubbing, during walking. The open - toed nature of the thongs may result in cuts, scrapes, bruises, or stubbed toes. Despite all of these issues, flip - flops do not have to be avoided completely. Many podiatrists recommend avoiding the inexpensive, drug store varieties and spending more on sandals with thick - cushioned soles, as well as ones that have a strap that 's not canvas and that comes back almost to the ankle. See also Find more aboutFlip - flopsat Wikipedia 's sister projects Definitions from Wiktionary Media from Commons News from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Learning resources from Wikiversity Sandal Slipper Hnyat - phanat ( Burmese ) References Jump up ^ `` Flip - Flop ''. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved July 18, 2012. Jump up ^ `` IT Pro - Information Technology News & Reviews ''. Jump up ^ `` Morris Yock trademarks the jandal ''. New Zealand History. 4 October 1957. Retrieved 22 Feb 2017. ^ Jump up to : Key, A.J. `` Jandals, Thongs, Flip Flops & G - strings ''. Retrieved July 18, 2012. Jump up ^ Khanna, Parul ( October 3, 2009 ). `` Hawai chappal the new fashion accessory ! ''. Hindustan Times. Retrieved July 18, 2012. Jump up ^ Richmond, Simon ; Dodd, Jan ; Branscombe, Sophie ; Goss, Robert ( February 2011 ). The Rough Guide to Japan. London : Rough Guides. ISBN 9781405389266. Jump up ^ Ribeiro, Patricia ( August 6, 2011 ). `` Havaianas - Brazilian Flip Flops ''. About.com. Retrieved July 18, 2012. Jump up ^ Kippen, Cameron ( 1999 ). The History of Footwear. Perth, Australia : Department of Podiatry, Curtin University of Technology. ^ Jump up to : DeMello, Margo ( 2009 ). Feet and Footwear : A Cultural Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, California : ABC - CLIO, LLC. pp. 130 -- 131. ISBN 978 - 0 - 313 - 35714 - 5. Jump up ^ `` The History of Flip - Flops ''. Peche Blu. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Cullen, Ed ( 2006 ). Letter in a Woodpile. Nashville, Tennessee : Cool Springs Press. ISBN 1591862493. Jump up ^ Cain, Kathryn ( July 30, 2010 ). `` The Timeline : Flip - flops ''. The Independent. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Peterson, Amy T. ; Kellogg, Ann T. ( 2008 ). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Clothing Through American History 1900 to the Present. Westport, Connecticut : Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 372. ISBN 978 - 0 - 313 - 35855 - 5. Jump up ^ Ward, Julie ( September 13, 2005 ). `` Next big step in team spirit : Flip - flops ''. USA Today. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Appropriate ? Obama Becomes First Flip - Flop President ''. Fox News. January 5, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Fermino, Jennifer ; Hurt, Charles. ( January 5, 2011 ). `` That 's quite a feet ! Bam first flip - flop president ''. New York Post. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Lister, Richard ( February 19, 2010 ). `` Flip - flop diplomacy with the Dalai Lama ''. BBC News. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Weisman, Jonathan ; Canaves, Skye ( February 18, 2010 ). `` Dalai Lama Meets With Obama ''. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Bernhard, Blythe ( June 18, 2009 ). `` Flips - flops are bad for your sole ''. Seattle Times. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Bloch, Michael. `` Recycling Flip - Flops ''. Green Living Tips. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Vasil, Adria ( 2007 ). Ecoholic : Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services In Canada. Toronto : Random House Canada. ISBN 978 - 0 - 307 - 36613 - 9. Jump up ^ `` Flip - Flop Brigade ''. terracycle.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015. Jump up ^ Stoller, Debbie ( 2010 ). Stitch ' n Bitch Superstar Knitting : Go Beyond the Basics. New York City : Workman Publishing Company. p. 186. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7611 - 3597 - 5. Jump up ^ Sosnoski, Daniel ( 1996 ). Flip - Flop BrigadeIntroduction to Japanese Culture. Boston, Massachusetts : Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company. p. 85. ISBN 0 - 8048 - 2056 - 2. Jump up ^ Csomor, Marina ( July 18, 2012 ). `` Flip - flops present feet with a painful problem ''. CNN. Retrieved July 19, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Wheldon, Julie ( August 3, 2006 ). `` Flip flops can damage your health ''. Daily Mail. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Borland, Sophie ( July 29, 2010 ). `` Flip - Flops ' injure 200,000 a year ' costing the NHS an astonishing £ 40m ''. Daily Mail. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Kam, Katherine. `` Flip - Flops Fun but Beware of Foot Pain ''. WebMD. Retrieved 20 January 2017. Jump up ^ Shroyer, JF ; Weimar, WH ( 2010 ). `` Comparative analysis of human gait while wearing thong - style flip - flops versus sneakers ''. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 100 ( 4 ) : 251 -- 7. PMID 20660875. Jump up ^ Shroyer, Justin F. ; Robinson, Leah E. ; Weimar, Wendi ( August 27, 2009 ). Influence of thong flip ‐ flops on running kinematics in preschoolers ( PDF ). Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. Penn State University. Jump up ^ Shroyer, Justin ( September 9, 2009 ). Influence of Various Thong Style Flip - flops on Gait Kinematics and Lower Leg Electromyography ( PhD Thesis ). Auburn, Alabama : Auburn University. pp. 31 -- 52. hdl : 10415 / 1905. Jump up ^ Willingham, Val ( August 6, 2010 ). `` Flip - flops are n't always easy on the feet ''. CNN. Retrieved July 19, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Yara, Susan ( May 4, 2006 ). `` Skip the Flip - Flops ''. Forbes. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Watson, Nicole ( July 18, 2012 ). `` Study : Comfortable flip - flops causing painful health risks ''. ABC Action News. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Doctors Warn About Flip - Flops ''. Click2Houston.com. October 10, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2012. Footwear Men 's dress shoes Blucher Brogues Brothel creepers Derby Monks Oxfords Slip - ons ( Loafers ) Spectator shoes ( Co-respondent shoes ) Venetian - style shoes Winklepickers Wholecuts Women 's dress shoes Ballet flats Court shoes High - heeled footwear Mary Janes Mojari Mules Peep - toe shoes Saddle shoes Slingbacks Slip - ons ( Loafers ) Venetian - style shoes Winklepickers Other shoes Driving moccasins Flip - flops Galoshes Platform shoes Sandals Self - tying shoes Slides Slippers Veldskoens Wooden footwear Bakya British clogs Cantabrian albarcas Clogs Getas Klompen Namaksin Padukas Pattens Sabot Träskor Military footwear Ammunition boots Bunny boots Combat boots Jackboots Jump boots Jungle boots Tanker boots Trench boots Sport - related footwear Athletic shoes Ballet shoes Boat shoes Climbing shoes Cross country running shoes Cycling shoes Football boots Ghillies Hiking boots Ice skates Inline skates Jika - tabi Kung fu shoe Minimalist shoes Motorcycle boots Mountaineering boots Plimsolls Racing flats Riding boots Roller shoes Roller skates Safari boots Skate shoes Ski boots Sneakers Swimfins Water shoes Wrestling shoes Fashion boots Chelsea boots ( Beatle boots ) Chukka boots Go - 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shirt Tube top Turtleneck Twinset Trousers Bell - bottoms Bermuda shorts Bondage pants Capri pants Cargo pants Chaps Cycling shorts Dress pants High water pants Hotpants Lowrise pants Jeans Jodhpurs Leggings Overall Palazzo pants Parachute pants Pedal pushers Phat pants Shorts Slim - fit pants Sweatpants Windpants Yoga pants Skirts A-line skirt Ballerina skirt Denim skirt Men 's skirts Miniskirt Pencil skirt Prairie skirt Rah - rah skirt Sarong Skort Tutu Wrap Dresses Ball gown Bouffant gown Coatdress Cocktail dress Débutante dress Formal wear Frock Evening gown Gown House dress Jumper Little black dress Princess line Sheath dress Shirtdress Slip dress Strapless dress Sundress Wedding dress Wrap dress Suits and uniforms Academic dress Ball dress Black tie Boilersuit Cleanroom suit Clerical clothing Court dress Gymslip Jumpsuit Kasaya Lab coat Military uniform Morning dress Onesie Pantsuit Red Sea rig Romper suit School uniform Scrubs Stroller Tuxedo Vestment White tie Outerwear Apron Blazer British Warm Cagoule Cape Chesterfield Coat Covert coat Cut - off Duffel coat Flight jacket Gilet Goggle jacket Guards coat Harrington jacket Hoodie Jacket Jerkin Leather jacket Mess jacket Opera coat Overcoat Parka Paletot Pea coat Poncho Raincoat Robe Safari jacket Shawl Shrug Ski suit Sleeved blanket Smoking jacket Sport coat Trench coat Ulster coat Waistcoat Windbreaker Underwear ( lingerie ) Top Bra Camisole Undershirt Bottom Diaper Panties Plastic pants Slip Thong Underpants Boxer briefs Boxer shorts Midway briefs Briefs Full Adult bodysuit Infant bodysuit Long underwear Playsuit Teddy Footwear Boot Court shoe Dress shoe Flip - flops Hosiery Sandal Shoe Spats Slipper Sneakers Sock Stocking Tights Headwear Baseball cap Beret Cap Fedora Hat Helmet Hood Kerchief Knit cap Toque Turban Veil Neckwear Ascot tie Bow tie Cravat Neckerchief Necktie Scarf Nightwear Babydoll Blanket sleeper Negligee Nightgown Nightshirt Pajamas Swimwear Bikini Burkini Boardshorts Dry suit Monokini One - piece Rash guard Square leg suit Swim briefs Swim diaper Trunks Wetsuit Accessories Belt Coin purse Cufflink Cummerbund Gaiters Glasses Gloves Headband Handbag Jewellery Muff Pocket protector Pocket watch Sash Sunglasses Suspenders Umbrella Wallet Wristwatch See also Clothing technology Clothing terminology Costume Cross-dressing Dress code Fashion Haute couture History of clothing Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flip-flops&oldid=805224841 '' Categories : Sandals 1960s fashion 1970s fashion 1980s fashion 1990s fashion 2000s fashion 2010s fashion Australian fashion Australian clothing Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from April 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Afrikaans Aymar aru Български Brezhoneg Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Lumbaart Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Română Русский සිංහල Simple English Basa Sunda Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 粵語 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 13 October 2017, at 22 : 14. 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Question: where did the term flip flop come from
Answer: It is an onomatopoeia of the sound made by the sandals when walking in them.