What Do Aussies Call a Thong? Irish Fashion Lingo vs Australian Slang

Try using the word “thong” at a busy Irish beach, and you’ll likely get a few raised eyebrows. I still remember that day on Dollymount Strand, my lads chasing ice cream vans with their feet slapping against their flip-flops. A tanned Aussie—a dead ringer for that Hemsworth fella—asked my wife, “Forgot your thongs today?” She nearly spat out her tea. See, the Irish don’t think “footwear” when they hear “thong.”

The Great Aussie-Irish Mix-Up: One Word, Two Worlds

Right off the bat, this is where things get hilariously muddled. In Ireland, “thong” means a very different piece of clothing—think Penneys’ lingerie section, not the shoe aisle. But in Australia, a thong is the classic open-toed summer sandal that we in Ireland simply call a flip-flop. Head to Sandymount Beach or Portmarnock during a rare heatwave, and you’ll see plenty of pale feet strapped into flip-flops—never called “thongs” here.

This mix-up causes a lot of laughs (or red faces), especially for Irish tourists heading Down Under. Picture yourself standing at a Bondi Beach kiosk, asking for a new pair of flip-flops. Expect the vendor to say, “We’ve got loads of thongs, mate.” Don’t panic—you don’t have to bare all at the beach. They just mean the rubber sandals you wear between toes, what you probably bought from Dunnes Stores or Next during the last summer burst.

Australians have used “thong” for these sandals since at least the 1960s. It likely comes from the Y-shaped rubber strap, which looks a bit like a narrow strip—or “thong”—running between the toes. Makes sense, if you squint. If you’re packing a suitcase for a family trip, remember: say “flip-flops” in Spain or Cork, but go for “thongs” in Brisbane or Sydney if you don’t want smirks from the shopkeeper.

Our beaches might not stretch forever like Bondi, but we love our summer traditions just as much. The Irish have long welcomed flip-flops—the affordable, floppy kind from Lifestyle Sports or even the patterned pairs at Lidl, popular during Sea Sessions or beach barbecues in Tramore. But Aussie slang somehow makes everything sound more laid-back, don’t you think?

From Lingerie to Beaches: How Language Travels

Here in Ireland, “thong” is strictly underwear—often associated with Ronan Keating lyrics or a lingerie ad rather than footwear. Who’s to blame for this confusion? Probably a global mix of brands, marketing, and good old-fashioned misunderstandings. Back in the 1980s and ’90s, “thong” became the go-to term for minimal women’s underwear, pushed by fashion houses in Paris and Milan and soon showing up at Brown Thomas in Dublin.

So while Irish teens were giggling about “thong” underwear at St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Australians were talking about running down to the shop in their thongs—meaning footwear. Imagine being a Dublin Erasmus student on a Sydney exchange, hearing your host say, “No shoes inside, just leave your thongs at the door.” Confusion guaranteed.

But do Australians get confused by the Irish usage? Rarely. Global pop culture helps—thanks, Sisqó. Still, most Aussies find the Irish sense of humour handy when these mix-ups happen. And in shops across Ireland, from TK Maxx to Arnotts, nobody’s referring to summer shoes as thongs, so you’re pretty safe from public mix-ups—unless you’re chatting with an Aussie tourist at the Guinness Storehouse.

Language experts note that words like “thong” often shift meaning because different cultures adopt and adapt them for whatever needs they have—beaches, bedrooms, and beyond. In 2024, a Trinity College linguistics study showed slang terms like “craic,” “shift,” and “thong” change rapidly when Irish people travel or work abroad. Even my boys pick up the odd Americanism from YouTube and slip it into conversation—much to their granddad’s horror.

Shoes for Irish Summers: Flip-Flops, Sliders, and the Right Words

If you’re stocking up for the next spell of Irish heat (or that once-in-a-blue-moon family holiday to Lanzarote), you’ll need footwear that fits in—from Dublin’s Southside to Australia’s Gold Coast. Flip-flops are still the go-to choice for most Irish teens and parents because they’re cheap, easy to wash, and light enough to chuck into a Penneys bag. You might also spot sliders—those Adidas or Nike slip-ons, which are perfect for mucky GAA pitches or dashing out to put the bins out on a rainy Tuesday.

Here’s the trick: If you’re shopping in Ireland, you’ll only find “flip-flop” or “slider” on the tag. But if your summer plans involve visiting family or surfing mates in Oz, get used to calling them “thongs.” Aussies might laugh if you mention flip-flops, but you’ll blend right in if you drop “thongs” into the chat. Irish shops don’t usually stock “thongs” as summer shoes—even high-street icons like River Island or Skechers in Liffey Valley stick to local lingo.

And no, don’t expect Irish brands to hop on the “thong” branding any time soon. It’d only cause more confusion. Glanbia, the Irish nutrition brand, might launch sports gear named after Co. Kilkenny before they call a sandal a thong. Conversations at the pub or a family barbecue usually stick to “flip-flops,” unless someone wants a laugh—and in Ireland, there’s always someone up for that.

The real challenge? Finding something that lasts through both Irish rain and the rare sun. Quick tip: Choose rubber soles if you’ll be hopping between the Forty Foot and the chipper at Dun Laoghaire. Swear by brands with decent grip—nobody wants to slip carrying fish and chips for the kids. Below is a handy comparison table for quick reference if you’re ever shopping online or packing for a trip abroad.

Travel Tips, Irish Mishaps, and Aussie Craic

So, what should us Irish do if we’re travelling Down Under or running into tourists in Galway? First, embrace the differences—part of what makes Ireland fun is these little clashes between words. If you’re heading to Sydney, double-check what you’ve packed when someone mentions “thongs.” Aussies don’t want to see your Penneys’ smalls at the hotel pool—just your beach sandals will do. If you ever get unsure, just ask with a grin. Aussies are known for their banter, and chances are you’ll get a story out of it.

Plenty of Irish folks have unique “thong moments.” A mate of mine walked into a hostel in Melbourne, clattered her Arnotts shopping bag down, and loudly told the manager she needed a new thong. Cue a whole lobby turning heads—only for her to realise (a bit red-faced) she’d asked for underwear, not sandals. Happens to the best of us. British and Irish expats living in Perth swap stories about flip-flop versus thong debates over pints at the Irish Club of WA. Good news: most Aussies get a kick out of it, instead of getting offended.

If you’re visiting Ireland, you’ll fit right in calling them flip-flops. Feel free to mention the Aussie “thong” mix-up if you want to break the ice at a Dublin City summer festival or at a pub along the Wild Atlantic Way. Travelling outbound? A simple trick is to add “footwear” or “swimwear” after the word when you’re shopping or chatting. If you say, “I need new thongs—flip-flops, I mean,” in a shop in Surfers Paradise, you’ll get a friendly nod and probably a travel tip for good measure.

Lingo changes like the Irish weather, but half the charm is in learning the differences and not taking yourself too seriously. If you’re out there on Inch Beach, toes in the cold sand and wearing your trusty flip-flops, you might spare a thought for your Aussie mates sunbathing in their thongs. Whether you call them flip-flops, slippers, or even thongs, sure as rain, you’ll be ready for the next surprise on your travels.