When and why were flip-flops first called thongs?

by adenoidcystic

I grew up wearing thongs to the beach, now I wear flip-flops to the beach. What happened? Where did these terms come from?

Searocksandtrees

Hi OP, if you don't get an answer here, you might try x-posting to /r/etymology (the study of word origins)

Virginonimpossible

I thought they were 2 different things, flip flops don't go between your toes.