Footwear Terminology Guide
What Do They Call Footwear in Your Location?
This tool helps you understand the right footwear terminology based on whether you're in Ireland or Australia.
Select your location above to see what you should call these sandals.
Note: In Ireland, "thong" refers to underwear, not footwear. In Australia, "thong" is the common term for flip-flops.
In Ireland, where the weather turns from drizzle to downpour in under ten minutes, your footwear isn’t just about style - it’s about survival. You’ve probably seen them at the Galway Market, outside Dunnes Stores on Grafton Street, or lined up by the back door of a Cork cottage: those strap-on sandals that cling to your feet like a second skin. But if you’ve ever asked a mate from down under what they call them, you might’ve been met with a grin and a reply that makes no sense at all. So, what do Aussies call a thong? And why does it matter here?
Thong? Flip-flop? Sandal? It’s All in the Language
In Ireland, we mostly say flip-flops. You’ll hear it in Limerick, Belfast, and Letterkenny. You’ll see it on the labels of the cheap pair you bought from Primark during the summer sale. But in Australia, calling them flip-flops? That’s practically a foreign concept. There, they’re thongs. Not the underwear. Not the belt. Just… thongs. And if you say ‘flip-flop’ in Sydney, you’ll likely get a confused look - like you just asked for a ‘biscuit’ instead of a ‘cookie’.
This isn’t just about word games. It’s about how culture shapes even the smallest things we wear. In Ireland, we don’t have a national footwear identity like Australia’s thong. But we do have our own quirks. Think of the Irish slipper - the rubber-soled, fleece-lined, non-slip kind you wear indoors during winter. Brands like Clarks and Geox sell them in every SuperValu and Boots in Dublin. You’ll find them in homes from Tralee to Drogheda, tucked under kitchen tables or piled beside the washing machine.
Why the Confusion? A Global Slang Shuffle
The term thong for footwear comes from Australia and New Zealand, where it’s been used since the 1960s. The name refers to the strap that runs between the toes - a thong of rubber or fabric. Meanwhile, in the US and Canada, flip-flop dominates, named after the sound the soles make when you walk. In the UK, people say sandals, but often mean something more formal - like leather straps with buckles. Ireland, being caught between British influence and American pop culture, mostly defaulted to flip-flops after the 2000s.
But here’s the twist: if you walk into an Australian-owned surf shop in Galway - like Waverider on Salthill Promenade - you’ll see signs that say ‘Thongs: From the Land Down Under’. Tourists from Australia buy them, locals roll their eyes, and the staff just shrug. ‘It’s what we call them,’ they say. ‘We don’t care what you call them.’
What Do Irish People Actually Wear?
Let’s cut through the noise. In Ireland, you don’t need a thong. You need something that stays on your foot when you’re sprinting from the bus stop to the pub during a sudden downpour. Most of us wear:
- Flip-flops - for beach trips to Doolin or the Wild Atlantic Way in summer
- Slipper-style sandals - with cushioned soles, for indoor use or quick errands
- Waterproof deck shoes - like those from Sebago or Clarks, for coastal towns like Howth or Kinsale
- Indoor slippers - the fleece-lined, non-slip kind, worn in every Irish home from October to April
There’s a reason you won’t see many Australians wearing their thongs here. The pavements are too uneven. The rain too relentless. The soles too thin. You can’t hop across a puddle in Galway’s cobbled streets with a $5 thong - you’ll lose it before you reach the next lamp post.
When You Visit Australia - What Should You Call Them?
If you’re heading to Melbourne or Byron Bay this summer, and you want to blend in? Say thong. Buy them at Big W or Coles. Don’t say ‘flip-flop’ unless you want to sound like a confused tourist. But if you’re buying them in Ireland? Stick with flip-flops. It’s what the staff at Dunnes Stores will call them. It’s what your mum will ask for when she’s ordering online.
And if you’re ever in a pub in Cork and someone says, ‘Pass me me thongs,’ don’t panic. They’re not talking about underwear. They’re talking about the rubber sandals by the door. It’s a cultural glitch - but one you’ll learn fast.
What About Other Names?
There’s more to this than just two words. In parts of South Africa, they’re called plakkies. In Brazil, chinelos. In Japan, geta - but those are wooden. In Ireland? We’ve got our own hybrid. The Irish thong doesn’t exist - but the Irish slipper does. It’s thicker, warmer, and has a grip pattern that stops you sliding on wet tiles. You’ll find them in Clare’s in Limerick, Clarks in Galway, or tucked into the back of Penneys near the socks.
And if you’re wondering why we don’t have a local brand for these? We do - just not in the way you think. Clarks and Geox are British, but they’re made for Irish feet. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need it to not slip on wet grass.
Final Take: It’s Not About the Name - It’s About the Fit
So, what do Aussies call a thong? Thong. And what do Irish people call them? Flip-flops. But here’s the real question: why does it matter?
Because footwear tells you more than just where you’re from - it tells you how you live. In Ireland, we don’t care if it’s called a thong or a flip-flop. We care if it keeps your feet dry. If it lasts through a trip to the shops in Sligo. If it doesn’t fall apart when you’re chasing the dog across a muddy field in Kildare.
So next time you’re in a shop and someone says, ‘I need some thongs,’ just hand them the pair with the rubber sole and the wide strap. Don’t correct them. Don’t argue. Just smile. You’re not in Australia. But you’re not far from understanding why they call them that.
What do Australians call flip-flops?
Australians call flip-flops "thongs." It’s the common term used across the country, from Sydney to Perth. Don’t be surprised if you hear it in surf shops, supermarkets, or on the beach - it’s not slang, it’s standard. If you say "flip-flop" there, people will understand you, but they’ll likely think you’re American or British.
Do Irish people use the word "thong" for footwear?
Rarely. In Ireland, "thong" almost always refers to underwear. Most people say "flip-flops" for the rubber sandals. You might hear "thong" used by someone who’s lived in Australia or works in tourism, but it’s not common. In shops, labels, and ads, you’ll always see "flip-flops."
Are thongs popular in Ireland?
They’re worn in summer, especially near the coast - places like Doolin, Bundoran, or the Aran Islands. But they’re not a staple. Most Irish people prefer slipper-style sandals with better grip, because wet pavements and uneven stone paths make thin-soled thongs impractical. You’ll see them at beaches, not on city streets.
What footwear is most common in Irish homes?
Indoor slippers - especially fleece-lined, non-slip models from brands like Clarks or Geox. These are worn year-round, even in summer, because Irish homes are often cold underfoot. You’ll find them in kitchens, hallways, and bedrooms across every county. They’re not fashion items - they’re necessities.
Can I buy Australian thongs in Ireland?
Yes - but not under the name "thong." Brands like Crocs, Reef, and Birkenstock are sold in Irish stores like Dunnes Stores, Penneys, and online retailers. You might find "Australian thongs" in surf shops like Waverider in Galway, but they’re usually labeled "flip-flops" to avoid confusion. The design is the same - just the label changes.
