Slipper
From Freepedia
A slipper is a soft and lightweight indoor shoe.
Slippers are frequently made out of soft materials such as felt, terrycloth or soft leather, and may or may not be lined. Some slippers, particularly those meant to be used near pools, bathrooms, or other wet places, are made of plastic or rubber. Slippers generally have thin and flexible soles, with a shallow tread meant only to prevent the wearer from slipping on smooth floors. In contrast, shoes and boots are generally made of canvas, plastic, rubber, or leather, and often have thick soles.
Slippers may be shaped like a shoe (foot inserted through top), or may have no heel, so the foot can be slipped in the back.
The term "slipper" is sometimes used interchangeably with the terms flip-flop and sandal.
Certain breeds of dog have been identified for their superior ability to fetch their owner's slippers, a domestic version of the fetching of shot prey for which hunting dogs have actually been bred by humans.
A slippering is a metaphorical term for a spanking of the buttocks or a beating of the hands using a slipper or (more often, though then it is a euphemism) firmer footwear, especially gym shoes (part of the school uniform), as the proverbial plimsoll, as a disciplinary implement wielded by hand, especially in Commonwealth countries. It is a form of corporal punishment, mainly for children at home or at school, as a milder alternative to caning, birching etcetera, though a 'sound dose' can be more painful then it seems, especially if the impacting sole is solid rubber, a material also used for type of paddle or bludgeon.
The word "booting" (also irrespective of the type of foorwear) is rather used for physical discipline given 'hands free' with the boot (or other footwear) on the discipliners foot, so the punishee usually is to offer himself (generally the posterior) in a low position.
In hare coursing, a slipper is a person who "slips" or releases dogs to chase the hare. Slippers are registered and trained by the British NCC (National Coursing Club), but coursing is controversial and becoming banned in most countries due to its alledgedly inhumane treatment of the hare.
