Sock
269062
226168339
2008-07-17T03:28:25Z
Bobo192
97951
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/65.9.11.181|65.9.11.181]] ([[User talk:65.9.11.181|talk]]) to last version by Gwernol
{{for|other uses|Sock (disambiguation)}}
[[Image:Socks and PJ.JPG|200px|thumb|Socks being worn on feet]]
[[Image:HandKnittedWhiteLaceSock.jpg|thumb|A hand [[knitting|knitted]] sock]]
[[Image:Socksvariousbrandsmix.JPG|200px|thumb|Various socks not being worn]]
A '''sock'' is a knitted or [[woven]] type of [[hosiery]] garment for enclosing the human foot. They are worn on the feet. Socks are designed to:
* ease chafing between the [[foot]] and [[footwear]],
* keep the feet warm
* provide comfort
* be fashionable
* keep the feet clean
''Sock'' is also the term given to the layer of leather or other material covering the insole of a shoe. When only part of the insole is covered, leaving the forepart visible, this is known as a half-sock.<ref>[http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6044497.html Half sock - Patent 6044497<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The average foot has 250,000 sweat glands, and the average pair gives off about half a pint (almost 250 mL) of perspiration per day.<ref>[http://health.howstuffworks.com/question514.htm Howstuffworks "Why do feet stink?"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can wick the perspiration away.<ref>[http://media.www.fsunews.com/media/storage/paper920/news/2005/08/01/Lifestyles/Smelly.Feet-2355901.shtml Smelly feet - Lifestyles<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In cold environments, socks help to retain/remove the moisture given off by one's feet, decreasing the risk of frostbite.<ref>[http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6082146.html Moisture management sock - Patent 6082146<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4898007.html Moisture management sock - Patent 4898007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
There was a shoe worn by Roman comic actors called ''soccus'' in Latin. It was a slipper and fitted loosely so it could be taken off quickly.{{fact|date = February 2008}}
== History ==
Socks have evolved over the centuries from the earliest models which were made from animal skins gathered up and tied around the ankles.<ref>[http://www.holeproof.com.au/About-Holeproof/Study-Centre/History-of-Socks.asp History of Socks]</ref> In the 8th century BC, the ancient Greeks wore socks from matted animal hair for warmth. Romans also wrapped their feet with leather or woven fabrics. By the 5th Century AD, socks called ‘puttees’ were worn by holy people in Europe to symbolise purity. By AD 1000, socks became a symbol of wealth among the nobility.
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 1939. 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.
== Fabrication ==
Socks can be created from a wide variety of materials. Some of these materials are [[cotton]], [[wool]], [[nylon]], [[Acrylic fiber|acrylic]], [[polyester]], [[Olefin fiber|olefin]], [[polypropylene]], or [[spandex]].<ref>[http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-Fact/5000/5544.html Selecting Socks, HYG-5544-01<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> To get an increased level of softness other materials that might be used during the process can be [[silk]], [[linen]], [[cashmere]], or [[mohair]].<ref>[http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-Fact/5000/5544.html Selecting Socks, HYG-5544-01<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The color variety of sock choices can be any color that the designers intend to make the sock upon its creation. Sock 'coloring' can come in a wide range of colors. Sometimes art is also put onto socks to increase their appearance. Different sports generally brandish different sock colors and there are also sometimes each sock will have a different color (for some significance or another). 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.
Sock sizes can vary from 8.5 - 11.5 <ref>[http://www.royea.net/sock.html Sock Page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Sock lengths vary, from ankle-high to [[thigh]] level and much in between. Other styles of socks include crew socks, mid-calf, and bare socks. A [[Toe socks|toe sock]] encases each toe individually the same way a finger is encased in a glove. Leg warmers, which are not typically socks, are commonly replaced with socks in northern regions of Scandinavia due to the cold climate.
==Sock sizes==
In the UK, a sock's size is the similar to that of a person's foot; for example, a foot that has a shoe size of 9 would require a sock sized 8-10.
In some parts of the world socks are sized differently than shoes. The chart below gives size equivalences, although there is no indication as to which of the numerous sizing systems it represents:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sock size
! Men's shoe size
! Women's shoe size
|-
| 9-11
| 3-1/2 to 8-1/2
| 4 to 10
|-
| 10-13
| 6-1/2 to 12
| 8-1/2 to 12-1/2
|}
Other less common sock sizes are 10-15, 13-15, and 13-16.
==See also==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{commonscat|Socks}}
* [[Stocking]]
* [[Sock puppet]]
* [[Tabi]] (traditional Japanese socks)
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{hosiery}}
{{Clothing}}
[[Category:Socks| ]]
[[Category:Footwear]]
[[Category:Hosiery]]
[[Category:Underwear]]
[[ar:جورب]]
[[ca:Mitjó]]
[[cv:Чăлха]]
[[cs:Ponožky]]
[[da:Sok]]
[[pdc:Schtrump]]
[[de:Strumpf]]
[[es:Calcetín]]
[[eo:Ŝtrumpeto]]
[[fa:جوراب]]
[[fr:Chaussette]]
[[gl:Calcetín]]
[[id:Kaus kaki]]
[[he:גרב]]
[[lt:Kojinė]]
[[mn:Оймс]]
[[nl:Sok (kledingstuk)]]
[[ja:靴下]]
[[no:Sokk]]
[[nn:Sokk]]
[[pl:Skarpetki]]
[[pt:Meia]]
[[qu:Chankaku]]
[[ru:Носок]]
[[scn:Quasittedda]]
[[simple:Sock]]
[[sk:Ponožka]]
[[fi:Sukka]]
[[sv:Strumpor]]
[[szl:Fuzekle]]
[[tg:Ҷӯроб]]
[[tr:Çorap]]
[[uk:Шкарпетки]]
[[yi:שטרומפ]]
[[zh-yue:襪]]
[[zh:短襪]]