thong

The term carries distinct meanings depending on the geographic and cultural context. In North American English, it primarily refers to a style of underwear or swimwear designed with a narrow strip of fabric. In Australian and New Zealand English, however, the word is the standard term for rubber flip-flop sandals, which are referred to as flip-flops in the United States.

When referring to the footwear or the underwear, the word is typically used in the plural form "thongs" or as part of the phrase "a pair of thongs," reflecting that these items are either worn in pairs or consist of multiple straps. The more traditional sense of a leather strap is less common in modern daily conversation but remains prevalent in historical or craft-related contexts.