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Thread: The story of the humble rubber thong, or flip flops.

  1. #1
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    The story of the humble rubber thong, or flip flops.

    We used to call thongs " gettas " in the Navy. It took until this article to know why.

    The shoe known in Australia as a “thong” is one of the
    oldest styles of footwear in the world.
    Worn with small variations across Egypt, Rome, Greece, sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, Korea, Japan and some Latin American cultures, the shoe was designed to protect the sole while keeping the top of the foot cool.
    Australians have long embraced this practical but liberating shoe — but history shows we can’t really claim to it as our own.



    Flip flop: the un-Australian history of the rubber thong (theconversation.com)
    I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food

    A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking

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    Quote Originally Posted by bob10 View Post
    The story of the humble rubber thong, or flip flops.
    Also known as "pluggers", I'm led to believe the ultimate in thongs is the "double plugger" as it can still be worn if one "blows a plugger".
    2005 D3 TDV6 Present
    1999 D2 TD5 Gone

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    I remember now an uncle of mine back in the 1950's would make a rather awful thong out of an old car tyre.

    .....and the best thong is......

    the original "surfer joe"....

    of which I usually buy a couple of pairs from a shop in Adelaide on Marion Rd which last a few years.

    Many manufacturers make a copy these days but they are not as good as the real McCoy.

    You will never get a blow out in a surfer joe.

  4. #4
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    Loved my surfer Joe's. Can only find a copy nowadays named ROCKO'S. Similar but not quite as wide.

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    Well there yer go. We learn something different every day. I always thought it was because Aussies were too thick to tie shoelaces that thongs were invented.
    Offence intended.
    AlanH.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ATH View Post
    Well there yer go. We learn something different every day. I always thought it was because Aussies were too thick to tie shoelaces that thongs were invented.
    Offence intended.
    AlanH.
    I'm sure there is a professional health expert than can help you with your problem. Other than that , a one way ticket to some where else. Oh wait, I forgot.
    I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food

    A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking

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    I suppose I could go and live with rellies in Sidney, Aukland, Zurich or San Diego but they don't want me either. Melbourne used to be a nice place especially around the bay road at Mentone. Maybe they'll have me back.
    AlanH.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ATH View Post
    I suppose I could go and live with rellies in Sidney, Aukland, Zurich or San Diego but they don't want me either. Melbourne used to be a nice place especially around the bay road at Mentone. Maybe they'll have me back.
    AlanH.
    You could always join the Salvo's, as a tamborine man. Every one loves them. Hang about, is that Ian on the third trombone?

    Traditional Salvation Army March by Winton Bournemouth Band - Bing video
    I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food

    A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking

  9. #9
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    Actually I went off the Salvos after seeing 2 band members having fun behind a tree when the music stopped. I woz jealous as she was quite a sweety.
    AlanH.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ATH View Post
    Actually I went off the Salvos after seeing 2 band members having fun behind a tree when the music stopped. I woz jealous as she was quite a sweety.
    AlanH.
    Well, you certainly tell a good story.
    I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food

    A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking

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