As freda was saying - in our part of the world, the thong is a piece of casual footwear, worn by many Aussies - a national icon, in fact!

And here is everything you ever wanted to know about the Aussie thong

And here is a poem, by another one of our Aussie icons, Blue the Shearer:

The Thong - By Col Wilson ('BLUE THE SHEARER')

Let's talk about the Icons that are worshipped by us Aussies.
Akubra hats, the Opera House, meat pies and swimming Cossie's.
Some would say our Icon is that famous waltzing song,
I reckon that it's something else. I reckon it's the thong.

I've thought a thousand thoughts of thongs, and I think that the thong,
Is more an Aussie Icon, than the swagman's billabong.
Just as real men don't eat quiche, the dinkum Aussie male,
Will wear his dinkum Aussie thong, come rain, or sleet, or hail.

You can keep your Nikes and Reeboks. It's the thong that should be put,
With Aussie pride and dignity, on every Aussie foot.
I'm going to start a business. Like Bond, I can't go wrong,
I'll market it throughout the world, as Blue's designer thong.

A thong for each occasion. It's just sound commonsense
To make a tough, all purpose thong, to wear to all events.
Simple, sturdy, comfortable, my Blue's designer thong,
Will let the foot breathe evenly, and dissipate the pong.

It's good for killing blowflies on the barbecue or stove,
And it's great for crushing garlic. Just belt it on the clove,
And wipe the garlic laden thong on chicken, beef, or pork,
Inhale the pure aroma of that garlic when you walk.

A thong for early evening, to wear with hipster tights,
I can see the Jingle in my mind, as though it were in lights.
Just a thong at twilight, when the tights are low.
With a string of diamantes, 'twined artistic around each toe.

A thong to wear to worship. I'd call it even thong.
The strap is very holy, and the soul, so very strong.
A thong to wear to football, to cricket, or the shops,
To shearing sheds, to factories. Steel capped thongs for cops.

I'd move away from footwear, create a new design,
For a chocolate coated thong, to give my valentine,
And way into the future, when the years have moved along,
She will show her grandkids, love's old sweet thong.

And when we go republic, and we're looking for a song
To celebrate our Icon, let's hear it for the thong.
Forget Waltzing Matilda, Advance Australia Fair,
A brand new National Anthem will be wafting through the air:

God save our gracious thong.
Make our feet safe and strong,
And free from pong.
Wear them instead of shoes,
To pubs and barbecues.
Health, happiness to all of youse,
God save our thong.