Flip-flops

Lore & Background

Thong sandals have been worn for thousands of years, as shown in ancient Egyptian murals from 4000 BC. A pair found in Europe was made of papyrus leaves and dated to be approximately 1,500 years old. Early versions were made from materials such as papyrus, palm leaves, rawhide, wood, rice straw, sisal, and yucca. The ancient Greeks and Romans wore versions, with the toe strap between the first and second toes in Greek sandals and between the second and third toes in Roman sandals. In India, a related 'toe knob' sandal called Padukas was common.

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 Korean War. Redesigned in bright colors, they became associated with the beach lifestyle of California in the 1960s. In 1962, Alpargatas S.A. marketed Havaianas in Brazil, and by 2010, over 150 million pairs were produced annually. In 2011, Barack Obama became the first U.S. president photographed wearing flip-flops. The Dalai Lama of Tibet is also a frequent wearer.

Reader's Guide

Flip-flops have a straightforward design: a thin sole with two straps in a Y shape from the sides of the foot to the gap between the big toe and the one beside it. They are made from modern materials such as rubber, foam, plastic (PVC, EVA, TPE), leather, suede, and fabric. Polyurethane flip-flops raise environmental concerns due to their persistence in landfills, leading some companies to use recycled rubber or hemp and offer recycling programs.

Health-wise, flip-flops provide mild protection from ground hazards like sharp rocks, hot sand, and fungi, but walking long periods can cause foot, ankle, or leg pain and tendonitis. The straps may cause blisters, and the open-toed design can lead to stubbed or broken toes. The American Podiatric Medical Association advises against wearing them for sports or yard work. Sunburn is also a risk due to lack of sun protection.

In popular culture, for many Latin Americans, the flip-flop (la chancla) is used as a tool of corporal punishment by mothers, a practice that has become an Internet meme. Flip-flops are also known by many names globally, including thongs in Australia, jandals in New Zealand, slops in South Africa, tsinelas in the Philippines, chappals in India, and chanclas in Latin America. In some Slavic languages, they are called japonke or japanke, referencing Japan, while in Russian they are vietnamki, meaning 'Vietnamese.'

Did You Know?

• The term 'flip-flop' may be an onomatopoeia of the sound made when walking in them.
• In 2006, sales of flip-flops exceeded those of sneakers for the first time.
• Barack Obama was the first U.S. president photographed wearing flip-flops, in 2011.
• The Dalai Lama of Tibet has met with U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama while wearing flip-flops.