Should havaiana replace the word thong?
Posted by: Em
31st Oct 2012 11:40am
I recently heard Havaianas are trying to get the word into the dictionary as being a generic term for thongs... What do you think about this?
You must be a member to reply to this chat topic. Click here to sign in.
Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.
Australian Marine Conservation Society are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of scientists, educators and passionate advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.
Challenge Challenge is a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families living with cancer, 365 days a year.
Our support is free and immediate, helping to lighten the cancer journey by addressing the practical, social, and emotional needs of all our members.
Our support is free and immediate, helping to lighten the cancer journey by addressing the practical, social, and emotional needs of all our members.
Comments 20
Ol
No, that's probably the most stupid revelation I've heard in a while!
s
Havaianas are a brand of thongs!!!
In the 1970's we had thongs in Australia that had cane inner soles and velveteen strap around the toes and also around the edge of the thongs.
Does anyone remember if they were called slaps or something else?
Anonymous
always be thongs to me
MandMm
That would be like replacing the word soft drink with Coke. It's not going to happen, or underpants with Calvin Klein, or mobile phone with I Phone.
frilly
I agree you can always tell when a women is wearing a g-string or a thong. Unless they have very trim hips the "crack' of their bum seems to stand out more. Really what is wrong with a line from panties.
You can always wear French Knickers, They are really very sexy. Look at the ladies in the 20s & 30s who wore them, when they undressed it was so sexy nThink outside the box, certainly no pantie lines, look how close fitting their clothes were?
frilly
I agree you can always tell when a women is wearing a g-string or a thong. Unless they have very trim hips the "crack' of their bum seems to stand out more. Really what is wrong with a line from panties.
You can always wear French Knickers, They are really very sexy. Look at the ladies in the 20s & 30s who wore them, when they undressed it was so sexy nThink outside the box, certainly no pantie lines, look how close fitting their clothes were?
wadnsarnsum
To me it is a brand not a generic term for 'Thong'. It would be like putting Big Mac in the dictionary as a generic term for Burger - again its a brand not a generic term.
Patros
Um....Havaianas are not the only brand of thongs, so why should their brand name be used to cover the whole genre? I will always refer to this type of footwear as thongs.
Minaki
I still call them "thongs"...no matter what the brand.
mimi123
Probably going too far, is Kleenex in the dictionary too?
Anonymous
Not likely, will always be thongs or pluggers to me (and everyone I know). Don't even buy havaianas - too expensive!
Anonymous
Not likely, will always be thongs or pluggers to me. Don't even buy havaianas - too expensive!
Anonymous
Hey ive been wearing havaianas now for 10 years and i call them havaianas not thongs, the word thong has become more slang to us here in Australia Goldcoast.
Anonymous
no
Clint Marchant
Do you know how a G-String got it's name? well the first time you put one on you go "O GEE" hence G String as for the word thong thats just obvious but to the people that wear them origionally they were designed so you didn't see a "panty line" well I've got some news for you you may not have a panty line but there are some downsides they tend to spread your bum cheaks giving you a fat ass plus you develop "hungry bum syndrome where your clothing creaps up your backside not a good look
Captured
I don't think it'll take hold, the only way it would work would be if Havianas bought out every business that made thongs/flip flops and then they'd have control over the world's thing manufacturing and sales... but i can't see that ever happening.
gobbytart
No. Thongs or flip flops are known throughout the world. havaianas is American and then only in a few states. I guess it is a brand name. it would be like calling trainers - Nikes
bubblesox
It won't mean a thing unless that's what people refer to their thongs as!
They are also called flip flops in the UK, which I prefer. Thongs in the UK are g'string undies!
jaguar
In Webster's dictionary maybe but certainly NOT in Oxford English or Australian dictionaries, that term may be common in parts of US (although typically they are called flip flops in California, Florida, Hawaii and Seattle when I visited friends there). Seems to me a 'brand' is trying to get copyright to a name for these articles in an underhand manner, certainly not a generic term in most parts of the world. Remember US firm trying it on with Ugg Boots, then losing the case in court!!
Multismudge
I had never heard of havainas until couple of days ago. buy 5 for $ deal. had no clue what they were talking about and didn't read anymore.
Was really wonderful about "UGG" boots .. go Aussie!
So is there a fight on now about thongs, are they a particular sort or just basically generic rubber/plastic - designer?
Considering womans sandals, dressy thongs etc.