Flip Flops in the Sand

Have you ever noticed that when someone wears their Flip Flop sandals on the beach they cause the sand to flip into the air like a small geyser?  Have you ever wondered just where this crazy footwear came from and where they got the silly name of Flip Flops?

Well, I did a little digging and found some interesting facts about those things we wear so much along the Emerald Coast.

• The Flip Flop Sandal has been around for some 6,000 years.  No kidding!
• The oldest surviving Flip Flop is made of papyrus and is displayed in the

British Museum and the circa is 1500 BC.

• The Ancient Egyptians made their Flip Flops out of papyrus and palm leaves
• The African Misai used rawhide for their Flip Flops
• In India, wood was used to make the sandal
• Both China and Japan utilized their rice straw for theirs
•  Sisal leaves were used in South America for their Flip Flops
• And Mexico used the Yucca plant to make their Flip Flops.
•  The Japanese Zori (Flip Flop) became popular in the 30’s

The Flip Flops became the most popular in America during the 50’s when soldiers fighting the Korean War brought home rubber Flip Flops  as souvenirs.  Those were made poorly, causing blisters and fell apart easily.  When the American began wearing the Flip Flops, they were brightly colored, reflecting the 50’s era.  The Flip Flop became indigenous to the causal lifestyle known in California, especially with the surfers.

Did you know that the Flip Flop is also called other names throughout the world?

• In Japan, they are called the Zori
• In New Zealand they are called the Jandal which is short for Japanese Sandal
•  And they are known as Thongs in Australia.
• In India and Pakisatn they are popular;y known as Hawaii Chappal.

So when you are walking  down the Emerald Coast Beaches made of Appalachian quarts and watching the Flip Flops whip up that pristine white sand remember, those sandals have been around almost as long as the beach they are treading on!

                                                            Just a tid bit!