thong

noun

1. a strip of material, especially of leather or hide, used to fasten or secure something.
2. a strip of leather or hide used for whipping; whiplash.
3. a shoe or slipper fastened to the foot chiefly by a strip of leather or other material passing between the first and second toes and often attaching to another strip of material, as a strap across the instep or around the ankle.
4. a brief garment for the lower body that exposes the buttocks, consisting of a strip of fabric passing between the thighs and attached to a band around the waist.

noun

1. a thin strip of leather or other material, such as one used for lashing things together
2. a whip or whiplash, esp one made of leather
3. US, Canadian, Australian and NZ the usual name for flip-flop (def. 5)
4. 1. a skimpy article of beachwear, worn by men or women, consisting of thin strips of leather or cloth attached to a piece of material that covers the genitals while leaving the buttocks bare
   2. a similar item of underwear

n.Old English þwong “thong, narrow strip of leather (used as a cord, band, strip, etc.),” from Proto-Germanic *thwangaz (cf. Old Norse þvengr), from PIE root *twengh- “to press in on, to restrain.” As a kind of sandal, first attested 1965; as a kind of bikini briefs, 1990.