Boots versus Ghillie Brogues

[Father Bill]

"Thongs" if you like, though when speaking about how people in California dress, I can understand why he didn't choose that term.

I thought that was underwear!

[OC Richard]

OCR.

I see you that mention "Zorries", in your post above, which I assume are some form of footwear? Could you confirm to this "old boy" from the other side of the Atlantic that they are and, what do they they look like, please?

As a kid hanging out on the Southern California beaches in the 1960s we called them zorries.

But those things are tricky, because another Southern California word for them, "thongs", should be avoided due to meaning something quite different in other parts of the English speaking world.

And "sandals" doesn't fit either, which are generally leather and more substantially made.

It was only fairly recently that I discovered that "zorrie" was a Japanese word...Pacific Rim and all that.

[Jock Scot]

OCR

Well, I did ask!Thank you.

I think I will stick with the British(?) terminology of "flip flops".

[Tobus]

OCR

Well, I did ask!Thank you.

I think I will stick with the British(?) terminology of "flip flops".

I believe that most of the USA calls them flip-flops too. I've never heard the term zorries.

[COScotsman]

During the early to mid 70s here in CO, they were known as thongs. The 80s came along and the name changed to flip-flops as not to be confused with other apparel. I only heard the term zori (草履) while living in Japan.

[OC Richard]

During the early to mid 70s here in CO, they were known as thongs. The 80s came along and the name changed to flip-flops as not to be confused with other apparel. I only heard the term zori (草履) while living in Japan.

I have no explanation for us Southern California teens and kids using the term "zori" in the 1960s, but there it is.

If somebody said "thongs" "sandals" or the onomatopoeic "flipflops" I would know what they meant, but for us the ordinary word was zorries.

For sure there was a large local Japanese-American presence, still is.

[FossilHunter]

I have no explanation for us Southern California teens and kids using the term "zori" in the 1960s, but there it is.

If somebody said "thongs" "sandals" or the onomatopoeic "flipflops" I would know what they meant, but for us the ordinary word was zorries.

For sure there was a large local Japanese-American presence, still is.

I grew up in San Diego and never heard the term zories. In my household it was always flip flops. But I was a kid in the 90s so it could be a generational thing. Or maybe even regional.