Sock - Definition and Overview

A sock is a baglike covering for the foot and/or lower leg, which is designed to:

• ease chafing between the foot and footwear,
• keep feet warm, and
• absorb sweat from the feet.

Sock lengths vary, from covering only the foot, to knee level.

Socks are usually made from cotton, wool, or nylon.

Although socks are sold in pairs, contrary to shoes, the two socks are usually the same.

A sock is also the term given to the inner lining of a shoe, distinct from the garment.

See also

• stocking
• tabi
• loose socks

External links

• Webpage on men's tights and socks, focusing on Germans (http://www.german-hosiery-museum.de/herrenstruempfe/herrenstruempfe4.html)
• NY Times article on large-scale sock production in Datang, China (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/24/business/worldbusiness/24china.html?ei=5094&en=c8e6fb94a644d0a6&hp=&ex=1103950800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print&position=)

Other uses

Look up Sock in Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Sock may also refer to—

• the lower part of a horse's foot and specifically the color thereof. This term is also transitively applied to some other animals, and their coloration.
• the name of one of the minor characters in the 1960s version of the Josie (later Josie and the Pussycats) comic book produced by Archie Comics.