thong
thong
UK[θɒŋ]US[θɔːŋ]
n
a narrow strip of leather or other material, used especially as a fastening or as the lash of a whip.
n
a pair of women's or men's underwear consisting of a narrow strip of material that covers only the genitals and passes between the buttocks.
n
a rubber-soled sandal consisting of a flat sole held on the foot by a thong fitting between the toes and around the sides of the foot.
Etymology
the word "thong" has a direct lineage from old english "þwong," meaning a flexible leather cord or strap. this old english term finds its origin in the proto-germanic "þwang-," which also meant a band or a thong. the core semantic concept of a narrow, flexible strip of material has remained remarkably consistent for over a millennium. its application expanded from general fastenings and whips to specific modern items like minimalist footwear and underwear, all of which retain the defining characteristic of being a narrow strip.
Analysis
this word is a simplex. it is a loanword from old english, which itself derived from proto-germanic.
Examples
he repaired the chair using a leather thong.
she packed a comfortable thong for the beach vacation.
the flip-flop, also known as a thong sandal, is popular in warm climates.