Sock

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A hand-knitted sock HandKnittedWhiteLaceSock.jpg
A hand-knitted sock
Argyle socks Argyle (PSF).png
Argyle socks

A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle or some part of the calf. Some types of shoes or boots are typically worn over socks. In ancient times, socks were made from leather or matted animal hair. In the late 16th century, machine-knit socks were first produced. Until the 1800s, both hand-made and machine-knit socks were manufactured, with the latter technique becoming more common in the 19th century, and continuing until the modern day.

Contents

One of the roles of socks is absorbing perspiration. The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, it can produce over 0.25 US pints (0.12 L) of perspiration per day; [1] socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. They also protect shoes, a more expensive, durable, and frequently reworn foot covering, from perspiration, extending their life.

In cold environments, socks made from cotton or wool help warm up cold feet which in turn helps decrease the risk of getting frostbite. Thin socks are most commonly worn in the summer months to keep feet cool.

In men's fashion, light-colored socks are typically worn with sports shoes and dark colored socks with dress shoes (often black or navy blue dress socks). Fanciful sock designs are becoming more common. [2]

Etymology

The modern English word sock is derived from the Old English word socc, meaning "light slipper". This comes from the Latin soccus, a term to describe a "light, low-heeled shoe" worn by Roman comic actors, [3] and deriving from the Ancient Greek word sykchos. [4]

History

Silk woven socks from the Mawangdui tomb, Western Han, 2nd century BCE. Ancient Chinese socks are loose fitting and were tied with strings at the back. Mawangdui Han Socks (10113150686).jpg
Silk woven socks from the Mawangdui tomb, Western Han, 2nd century BCE. Ancient Chinese socks are loose fitting and were tied with strings at the back.
Egyptian socks created by naalbinding. Dating from 300-500, these were excavated from Oxyrhynchus on the Nile in Egypt. The split toes were designed for use with sandals. On display in the Victoria and Albert museum, reference 2085&A-1900. BLW Pair of socks.jpg
Egyptian socks created by naalbinding. Dating from 300–500, these were excavated from Oxyrhynchus on the Nile in Egypt. The split toes were designed for use with sandals. On display in the Victoria and Albert museum, reference 2085&A-1900.
12th-century cotton sock, found in Egypt. The knitter of this sock started work at the toe and then worked up towards the leg. The heel was made last and then attached to loops formed while knitting the leg. This practice allowed the heel to be easily replaced when it wore out. Islamic sock.jpg
12th-century cotton sock, found in Egypt. The knitter of this sock started work at the toe and then worked up towards the leg. The heel was made last and then attached to loops formed while knitting the leg. This practice allowed the heel to be easily replaced when it wore out.

Socks have evolved over the centuries from the earliest models, which were made from animal skins gathered up and tied around the ankles in the manner of the later Greek and Roman carbatinae shoes. Because the manufacture of socks was relatively time-consuming in preindustrial times, they were long used only by the rich. The poor wore footwraps, simple cloths wrapped around the feet. These remained in use in Eastern European armies until the end of the 20th century.

According to the Greek poet Hesiod, in the 8th century BC, the Ancient Greeks wore socks called "piloi", which were made from matted animal hair. [5] [6] The Romans also wrapped their feet with leather or woven fabrics. Around the 2nd century AD, the Romans started sewing the fabrics together making fitted socks called "udones". By the 5th century AD, socks called " puttees " were worn by holy people in Europe to symbolize purity.

During the Middle Ages, the length of trousers was extended and the sock became a tight, brightly colored cloth covering the lower part of the leg. Since socks did not have an elastic band, garters were placed over the top of the stockings to prevent them from falling down. When breeches became shorter, socks began to get longer (and more expensive). By 1000 AD, socks became a symbol of wealth among the nobility. From the 16th century onwards, an ornamental design on the ankle or side of a sock has been called a "clock". [7] [8] [9]

The invention of a knitting machine in 1589 meant that socks could be knitted six times faster than by hand. Nonetheless, knitting machines and hand knitters worked side by side until 1800.

The next revolution in sock production was the introduction of nylon in 1938. Until then socks were commonly made from silk, cotton and wool. Nylon was the start of blending two or more yarns in the production of socks, a process that still continues today.

Fabrication

Socks can be created from a wide variety of materials, such as cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefins (such as polypropylene). [10] To get an increased level of softness other materials that might be used during the process can be silk, bamboo, linen, cashmere, or mohair. [10] Merino wool is a popular fabric choice that offers warmth and comfort to socks, and retains its shape better when blended with other materials. [11] : 242  The color variety of socks can be any color that the designers intend to make the sock upon its creation. Sometimes art is also put onto socks to improve their appearance. Colored socks may be a key part of the uniforms for sports, allowing players teams to be distinguished when only their legs are clearly visible.

Fort Payne, Alabama, is regarded as the "sock capital of the world" due to nearly half of socks manufactured in the early 21st century were made here. The Fort Payne sock industry employed about 7000 workers at its peak around the year 2000. [12] Fort Payne, while still one of the largest producers of socks, only produces only a quarter of all socks, and has lost that title to Datang, China.

The township-level district of Datang in the city of Zhuji in Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China, has become known as Sock City. The town currently produces 8 billion pairs of socks each year, [13] a third of the world's sock production, effectively creating two pairs of socks for every person on the planet in 2011. [14]

Styles

Toe socks Yellow-green toe socks.jpg
Toe socks
Flip-flops socks Flip-Flops socks.jpg
Flip-flops socks

Socks are manufactured in a variety of lengths. No show, low cut, and ankle socks extend to the ankle or lower and are often worn casually or for athletic use. No show and low-cut socks are designed to create the look of bare feet when worn with shoes (sock not visible). Knee-high socks are sometimes associated with formal dress or as being part of a uniform, such as in sports (like football and baseball) or as part of a school's dress code or youth group's uniform. Over-the-knee socks or socks that extend higher (thigh-high socks) are sometimes referred to as female garments in the common era. They were widely worn by children, both boys and girls, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries; although, the popularity varied widely from country to country. [15] Knee-high or thigh-high socks are sometimes the object of sexual attraction and underwear fetishism. [16] Liner socks are socks which are worn underneath another sock with the intention being to prevent blisters.

Toe socks encases each toe individually the same way a finger is encased in a glove, while other socks have one compartment for the big toe and one for the rest, like a mitten; most notably what Japanese call tabi while other parts of the world simply call it split toe socks. Both of these allow one to wear flip-flops with the socks. [17]

Leg warmers, which are not typically socks, may be replaced with socks in cold climates and are similar to leggings due to the fact that they typically only keep legs warm in cold weather but not the entire foot.

A business sock or dress sock is a term for a dark-colored sock (typically black or navy blue) for formal or casual footwear. It is often loosely referred to as a work sock or a formal sock for formal occasions, for example, weddings, funerals, graduation ceremonies, prom, church, or work.

Crew socks are short and thick or thin everyday socks. Those socks are usually ribbed at the top of the ankles. [18] [19] They can be used in a way to warm legs if pulled all the way up. [20] [ clarification needed ] The first familiar practice of crew socks[ clarification needed ] was in 1948.[ citation needed ] Crew socks are usually unisex. [21]

A low cut sock is a kind of sock that describe in a way to be cut below the ankle. Low cut socks are formed to cover the contours of a person's feet. Although low cut socks are unisex, women and girls commonly use them. Low cut socks are normally worn with shoes such as boat shoes, Oxfords, moccasins and loafers.[ citation needed ]

The Ancient Egyptian style of sock is a blend between modern Western socks and Japanese tabi, both of which it predates. Like tabi, Egyptian socks have one compartment for the big toe and another for the rest, permitting their use with sandals. Like Western socks, they fit snugly to the foot and do not use fasteners like tabi.

Sizes

Knee-high white socks, often worn as part of a school uniform or for fashion Kneehighschooluniformsocks-tokyoarea-jan182020.jpg
Knee-high white socks, often worn as part of a school uniform or for fashion

Although generally holding to a pattern of being divided into sizes of small-medium-large, etc., what range of shoe sizes those sock sizes correspond to carries in different markets. [22] Some size standards are coordinated by standard-setting bodies but others have arisen from custom. [23] Sock lengths vary, from ankle-high to thigh level. [24]

Sports

Most sports require some sort of sock, usually a knee length or mid-calf sock to protect one's legs from being scraped while participating in sport activities. In basketball, tube socks are worn, and in lacrosse, mid-calf socks are required.[ citation needed ] In football, knee socks are used. They are mostly to stop grass burns. [25]

Other uses of the word

The layer of leather or other material covering the insole of a shoe is also referred to as a sock. When only part of the insole is covered, leaving the forepart visible, this is known as a half-sock. [26]

Footwraps

Footwraps used by the Finnish Army until the 1990s FootClothFromFinnishDefenceForces.JPG
Footwraps used by the Finnish Army until the 1990s

Footwraps, pieces of cloth that are worn wrapped around the feet, were worn with boots before socks became widely available. They remained in use by armies in Eastern Europe until the beginning of the 21st century. [27]

Thermal socks

For use in cold environments, thermal socks are thicker. They are commonly worn for skiing, skating, and other winter sports. They provide not only insulation, but also greater padding due to their thickness.

Diabetic socks are a kind of thermal sock made from an acrylic, cotton, nylon, and elastic. These are made to improve comfort while at the same time keeping feet cool and dry. However, there is no solid evidence that they are helpful. [28]

Holiday items

A sock is also used as a holiday item during Christmas. Children hang a large ceremonial sock called a Christmas stocking by a nail or hook on Christmas Eve, and then their parents fill it with small presents while the recipients are asleep. According to tradition, Santa Claus brings these presents to well-behaved children, while naughty kids instead receive coal. [29]

Religion

Among Muslims, socks have initiated a discussion about the intricacies of wudhu, the formal washing carried out before prayer. Some Muslim clerics, mindful of possible hardship among Muslims in inhospitable circumstances, have issued Muslim edicts permitting practicing Muslims to wipe water over their sock or sprinkle their sock. [30] This would allow prayer where there are no seating facilities, or if there is a queue. This is the stated opinion especially of Maliki Sunnis. [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Tights are a kind of cloth garment, most often sheathing the body from the waist to the toe tips with a tight fit, hence the name. They come in absolute opaque, opaque, sheer and fishnet styles — or a combination, such as the original concept of the American term pantyhose with sheer legs and opaque panty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stocking</span> Hosiery that covers the feet and legs to the knee or higher

Stockings are close-fitting, variously elastic garments covering the leg from the foot up to the knee or possibly part or all of the thigh. Stockings vary in color, design, and transparency. Today, stockings are primarily worn for fashion and aesthetics, usually in association with mid-length or short skirts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boot</span> Type of footwear extending above the ankle joint

A boot is a type of footwear. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle, while some also cover some part of the lower calf. Some boots extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece. Traditionally made of leather or rubber, modern boots are made from a variety of materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pantyhose</span> Sheer waist-high nylon legwear usually worn by women

Pantyhose, sometimes also called sheer tights, are close-fitting legwear covering the wearer's body from the waist to the toes. Pantyhose first appeared on store shelves in 1959 for the advertisement of new design panties as a convenient alternative to stockings and/or control panties which, in turn, replaced girdles.

<i>Tabi</i> Traditional Japanese sock with split-toed construction

Tabi are traditional Japanese socks worn with thonged footwear such as zori, dating back to the 15th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suit</span> Western business attire of matching jacket and trousers

A suit, also called a lounge suit, business suit, dress suit, or formal suit is a set of clothes comprising a suit jacket and trousers of identical textiles generally worn with a collared dress shirt, necktie, and dress shoes. A skirt suit is similar, but with a matching skirt instead of trousers. It is currently considered semi-formal wear or business wear in contemporary Western dress codes, however when the suit was originally developed it was considered an informal or more casual option compared to the prevailing clothing standards of aristocrats and businessmen. The lounge suit originated in 19th-century Britain as sportswear and British country clothing, which is why it was seen as more casual than citywear at that time, with the roots of the suit coming from early modern Western Europe formal court or military clothes. After replacing the black frock coat in the early 20th century as regular daywear, a sober one-coloured suit became known as a lounge suit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riding boot</span> Boot made to be used for horse riding

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandal</span> Type of footwear with an open upper

Sandals are an open type of shoe, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle. Sandals can also have a heel. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can sometimes be blurry, the common understanding is that a sandal leaves all or most of the foot exposed. People may choose to wear sandals for several reasons, among them comfort in warm weather, economy, and as a fashion choice. Usually, people wear sandals in warmer climates or during warmer parts of the year in order to keep their feet cool and dry. The risk of developing athlete's foot is lower than with enclosed shoes, and the wearing of sandals may be part of the treatment regimen for such an infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic school uniform</span> Type of school dress code

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leggings</span> Several types of leg coverings

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slip (clothing)</span> Womans undergarment worn beneath a dress or skirt

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toe socks</span> Sock with individual toes

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaiters</span> Garment worn over the shoe and lower pants leg

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knee highs</span> Type of hosiery

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fashion boot</span> Boot worn for style rather for utilitarian purposes

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References

  1. ↑ "Howstuffworks "Why do feet stink?"". Howstuffworks. Health.howstuffworks.com. 16 November 2000. Archived from the original on 2009-08-30. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  2. ↑ "Trudeau's socks, Holland's shoes: A look at Canadian leaders and their quirky styles". National Post. 2 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "LacusCurtius – Roman Shoes – Soccus". Penelope.uchicago.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
  4. ↑ "Sock". Online Etymology Dictionary]. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ Take Me Back. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited. 2008. p.  292. ISBN   978-0-7566-4090-3.
  6. ↑ Hesiod, Works and Days, 542
  7. ↑ "clock3". Merriam-webster.com. 2007-04-25. Archived from the original on 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  8. ↑ "historyofsocksus". www.blacksocks.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-09. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  9. ↑ "Sock History". archive of www.lonelysock.com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-29.
  10. 1 2 "Site | Ohioline". Archived from the original on 2002-09-17. Retrieved 2002-09-17.
  11. ↑ Herring, Kirk (2010). "Running footwear: triathlon and duathlon". In Ward, Matthew B.; Knight, E. Leslie; Langer, Paul R. (eds.). Athletic Footwear and Orthoses in Sports Medicine. Springer. pp. 223–256. OCLC   640142234.
  12. ↑ "Fort Payne landmarks". 15 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  13. ↑ "Largest Sock Production Town in China". cri.cn. 2008-05-25. Archived from the original on 2012-07-19. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Sock City's decline may reveal an unraveling in China's economy". The Guardian . 8 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "End of an era: knee high socks face defeat". August 19, 2013. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  16. ↑ Boothby, Richard. Sex on the Couch: What Freud Still Has To Teach Us About Sex and Gender. Routledge. 2014. P. 225.
  17. ↑ Marshall, John (1988). Make Your Own Japanese Clothes: Patterns and Ideas for Modern Wear. Tokyo: Kodansha International, Ltd. pp. 108–114. ISBN   0-87011-865-X. Archived from the original on 2022-01-30. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  18. ↑ "crew sock". Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, LLC. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  19. ↑ "Crew Sock | Definition of Crew sock by Merriam-Webster". www.merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-25.
  20. ↑ "Crew sock". www.thefreedictionary.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-25.
  21. ↑ Goldstein, Jayme Adelson; Shapiro, Norma (6 March 2008). Oxford Picture Dictionary (second ed.). OUP Oxford. ISBN   978-0-19-436976-3.
  22. ↑ "Sizing". Sock Info. Bridgedale. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "Foot Size Chart". Yarn Standards. Craft Yarn Council. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  24. ↑ "sock_size_chart". .co.uk/acatalog. Archived from the original on 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  25. ↑ "Baseball and socks appeal". Archived from the original on 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  26. ↑ "Half sock: Patent 6044497". Freepatentsonline.com. 1998-08-17. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  27. ↑ "Russian Army: Footwraps are Out, Socks are in". RIA Novosti. January 14, 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Are Diabetic Socks Better Than Generic Socks?". Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  29. ↑ Bowler, Gerry (2000). The World Encyclopedia of Christmas. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart. p.  156. ISBN   0-7710-1531-3.
  30. ↑ Spencer, Tanya (2013). Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers. p. 25.
  31. ↑ Al-Muwatta Of Iman Malik Ibn Ana – Page 14, 2013 Anas
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