Chunky heel: one of the few examples of purely descriptive shoe terminology, this term refers to a thick, heavy, uniform heel generally 2-4” in height.

Clog: traditionally made out of wood, this term now encompasses any heavy-soled, open-backed, closed-toe, foot-shaped shoe. One uniform standard of cloginess is weight, preferably on par with a mid-sized family sedan.

Flat: a shoe with no noticeable elevation in the heel.

Flip-flop: see also “Thong” below. Completely flat, thin-soled shoe with two small straps running over the ball mounts of the toes, joining between the big toe and second (index?) toe. The completely open back of the shoe is what creates the characteristic slapping noise associated with the name. These are the shoes we all wore to the beach when we were six years old.

High boot: as opposed to “low” or “ankle” boot, this is a boot that reaches high on the leg, usually to the knee or just above, although not high enough to be considered a “thigh boot.”

Jelly: soft, plastic shoe in a variety of colors, usually featuring cutout openings so that the wearer’s foot will not be broiled on a hot summer’s day. Originally popular in the early 80s in a flat variety, jellies have recently been reintroduced with low, hard plastic heels.
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