What does thong mean?
Thong is a compact word whose meaning varies by region and context. In British and Australian English, it commonly denotes a simple sandal or flip-flop with a strap between the toes, and the plural thongs is frequently used in that sense. In North America, the word is especially associated with a narrow style of underpant that covers the buttocks and leaves most of the back exposed. Less commonly, a thong is any strip of leather used as a strap or whip, and the verb historically means to beat or whip with one. The word therefore illustrates how vocabulary can shift both geographically and metaphorically: a general strap or whip became a type of footwear and, in another major usage pattern, a garment. Because these senses are so different, context and location are often essential when interpreting the term.
A sandal with a strap between the toes; in North America, a narrow underpant with a thin front panel; also, historically, a strap or whip.
"He left his thongs beside the hotel door."
To beat or whip someone with a thong.
"The guard was thonged with a leather strap."
Rare, formal, or literary; chiefly encountered in historical writing.
Used for multiple examples of the relevant noun, especially when referring to a pair of sandals.
"She bought a pair of thongs for the beach."
One word can travel remarkably far: a thong may be a whip, a sandal, an underpant, or—in Australia—simply what many other speakers call a flip-flop.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thong come from?
Thong descends from Old English þong, meaning a strap or whip, and passed into Middle English in that older sense. Its modern applications to sandals and undergarments developed later through the broader idea of a narrow fastening or covering strip. The word has Germanic relatives including Dutch tong and German Zunge, both connected with the tongue and with a Proto-Indo-European root associated with protrusion.
How thong is actually used
The meanings vary markedly by region. British, Australian, and other varieties of English commonly use the word for a sandal, while North American usage is especially associated with the undergarment. The older meanings referring to a strap or whip now sound formal, archaic, or literary. The verb is rare outside literary and historical contexts.
Easily confused with thong
A tong is a tool used for gripping objects, whereas a thong is a strap, sandal, undergarment, or whip.