[John Leland 1789]

I was raised in the United States and my parents, both US born, always referred to rubber flip-flops as “thongs.” I grew up calling rubber flip-flops “thongs.”

I was speaking in a church in Indiana, describing our work in Asia, and used the word “thongs” referring to footwear, and later someone told me, “You shouldn’t use the word “thongs” for footwear, because people thought you were talking about something worn on the private parts.”

SINCE WHEN?! I was in my 40s when I spoke in that church. I had spent 6-1/2 years in the US military. I NEVER ONCE remember the word “thongs” used to refer to something worn on the private parts.

[Hazcat]

I was raised in the United States and my parents, both US born, always referred to rubber flip-flops as “thongs.” I grew up calling rubber flip-flops “thongs.”

Me too. From PA originally. Now 53 and if someone said they were going to put on thongs (plural) I would know they meant foot wear.

[Mr. Mojo]

I was raised in the United States and my parents, both US born, always referred to rubber flip-flops as “thongs.” I grew up calling rubber flip-flops “thongs.”

Same here. I think the transformation of the word "thong" from footwear to string bikini took place in the last 10 years. ....15 at most.

[cyclotic]

Your thong story reminds me of a recent one. I work with a Christian Camp in Upper Michigan. They send out a list of what to bring to all the kids. The list is boilerplate and never changes much. Until...someone noticed thongs on the list and wondered why they would specify the type of underwear. It now reads flip-flops