Why Are Flip-flops Called Flip-flops ?
When the Zori sandal arrived in America, the name carried on for a while, especially in areas with strong Japanese influence. Another name that gained popularity in the 1950s was Go Aheads, a term you may still hear in parts of California and Hawaii. Many Americans called them thongs or flip-flops, but the latter term maintained the most traction. And why shouldn’t flip-flops be a popular term for the shoe? After all, it’s delightfully onomatopoeic, reflecting the sound the sandal makes as it smacks the ground and then your foot. It’s a name as light and worry-free as the footwear itself.Flip-flops' is now the simple, enduring name for America’s most common footwear.
Flip-flops Today
Today, flip-flops are a four-million-dollar industry in the U.S., gracing the shoe rack of nearly every person in the country. They’re most popular in summer when people wear them with swimsuits, shorts, or light dresses. However, flip-flops have many places in everyday life and for special occasions. Sometimes called shower shoes, many people reserve flip-flops for indoor use doing house chores or in shared bathrooms. You’ll likely wear them at beaches or pools or out doing yard work. They’re also easy to take along for a long night or day out when your feet may need a break from high heels or Oxfords.
Globally, flip-flops remain culturally significant in regions where they originated: places with warm climates and relaxed styles.
And now flip-flops have made their way into the folds of fashion. Celebrities were often sighted wearing thong sandals in the Y2K era, and the footwear is having a moment with the revival of early-aughts trends. Whether you get a $600 pair of flip-flops from Gucci or rock a simple low-key pair, you’re taking part in an ancient style that stands the test of time.
