Slipper (English spelling)

Japanese: スリッパー（英語表記）slipper

A general term for indoor footwear that allows the foot to slide easily into. In Japan, it is called slippers, and often refers mainly to upper sandals. Originally, these were called pantoffles, and around the 14th century, the material for the soles was leather, but by the end of the Middle Ages, the soles had changed to cork. Around that time, a backless shoe made in Venice called a mule, which only had an upper part and had no back ankle, became popular. The mule is named after a red fish, and was named after the red color of these upper sandals.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

スリップ(すべる)という意味をもった，足を楽にすべりこませてはける室内用の履物の総称。日本ではスリッパといい，おもに上草履の類を指すことが多い。本来はパントーフルpantoffleと呼ばれる履物で，14世紀ころのものは底をふくめて素材は皮であったが，中世の終りにはコルクの底になった。そのころベネチアでつくられた，足首の後ろの部分のないバックレスの，甲部だけのミュールmuleという履物がはやった。ミュールは赤い色の魚の名で，この上草履が赤い色をしていたところから名づけられた。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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