Some people call it butt-floss, others call it underwear. It is the thong, considered both a blessing to women and a God-sent gift to men. It is sexy lingerie that gives a sense of comfort and confidence to women of all sizes. The thong has been made in a variety of shapes and shades, but one thing remains the same; it will always keep those pesky panty lines out of sight.

According to an article from TheOpenPress.com, author Rick Freedom tells the history of this itsy-bitsy garment and how it began in ancient times when Egyptians wore a thong-like clothing item called a loincloth. Freedom said the loincloth was first made of leather, and then later made of cloth after fabric was introduced.

Loincloths may have been a valuable item of clothing during that time-period because Freedom said the legendary King Tutankhamen was found buried with over a hundred loincloths in his tomb.

People in ancient Rome and Japan also wore loincloths, Freedom said. Some wore it for athletic purposes. Japanese Sumo wrestlers, for example, wore loincloths to wrestle. If you happen to watch a sumo wrestling competition on television, you will notice that theses wrestlers continue to wear the buttocks-bearing garment today.

Although Freedom says some Greeks wore loincloths, Sacramento State History Professor Henry Chambers says, “In Greece, males competed naked and would not have needed a loincloth.”

In the Middle-Ages, the common loincloth was replaced by the braies, which Freedom explains is a “large, loose outfit.” He describes that it was typically made of linen, was much bigger piece than the loincloth, and was designed with a buttoned or tied cover at the front.

From ancient times to the Middle Ages, thong-like garments were on the bulky side with loose fittings and twisted straps. Now, the loincloths and braies are much different from the thong we know today. The thong evolved from a pamper-like type of clothing to a slim-structured undergarment that can only be noticed if a strap is peeking out from a pair of pants.

Freedom said historians believe the thong first appeared publicly in the U.S. in 1939 when New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia ordered the city’s exotic nude dancers to dress more conservatively. However, Freedom also says American fashion designer, Rudi Gernreich was recognized as the first to introduce the modern thong in 1974. According to DesignerVintage.com, Gernreich is most famous for creating the topless swim suit.

Sisqo’s “Thong Song” popularized the barely-there undergarment in the U.S. in 2000. But before this, Brazilian women have been wearing the thong for years, Freedom said. In Brazil, women used the thong for exotic dancing and during festivals. Freedom also said that the thong gained more popularity in the 80’s when South American women began using it on the beaches.

It was only in the 90’s when the U.S showed wide approval of the exotic lingerie, states Freedom. Since American woman began rummaging through the malls looking for this sexy item, profits in lingerie stores increased.

Freedom said the lingerie industry has raked up $2 billion each year, and in 1999 the thong was said to be the best selling style of underwear in the world. According to DruHillLive.com, a report in The Wall Street Journal claimed, “Companies, such as Victoria’s Secret, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Lane Bryant and even discount stores, such as Target and Wal-Mart credited thongs for their jump in sales then.”

So what makes the thong so appealing?

Senior Nursing major Kresten Gonzales said the thong helps improve the appearance of her clothes by eliminating panty lines. “I don’t wear thongs all the time,” she said. “I only wear them when I wear something tight.”

Journalism Senior Brent Morrow said the thong is very attractive on women, so much so that he can find it very distracting, however, he still likes for women wear it. “I prefer women to wear the thong – all the way,” Morrow said.

Olivia Gray can be reached at [email protected]