A hand-knitted sock

Argyle socks

A sock is an item of clothing worn on the feet. The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, as it is able to produce over 1 US pint (0.47 l) of perspiration per day.^[1] Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. In cold environments, socks decrease the risk of frostbite. Its name is derived from the loose-fitting slipper, called a soccus in Latin, worn by Roman comic actors.^[2]

History[link]

The earliest known surviving pair of cloth socks. Dating from 300-500AD 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.

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 8th century BC, the Ancient Greeks wore socks from matted animal hair for warmth. The 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 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.^[3]

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.

Fabrication[link]

Socks can be created from a wide variety of materials. Some of these materials are cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefins, (such as polypropylene), or spandex.^[4] To get an increased level of softness other materials that might be used during the process can be silk, bamboo, linen, cashmere, or mohair.^[4] 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. 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.

Styles[link]

Rainbow striped toe socks worn with thong sandals

Flip-flops socks

Socks are manufactured in a variety of lengths. Bare or ankle socks extend to the ankle or lower and are often worn casually or for athletic use. Bare socks are designed to create the look of "bare feet" when worn with shoes. 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 uniform. Over-the-knee socks or socks that extend higher (thigh-high socks) are today considered female garments. 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.

A toe sock 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 Japanese tabi. Both of these allow one to wear flip-flops with the socks. Leg warmers, which are not typically socks, may be replaced with socks in cold climate.

Sizes[link]

Knee-high white socks, often worn as part of a school uniform

In the United Kingdom, a sock's size is similar to the person's shoe size; for example, a foot that has a shoe size of 9 would require a sock sized 8-10.

In some other parts of the world socks are sized differently than shoes. In the U.S. numerical sock size is the length of the foot in inches, whereas shoe size is not.

Sock lengths vary, from ankle-high to thigh level.

Sports[link]

Most sports will require some sort of sock, usually a tube 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.

Other uses[link]

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.^[5]

Footwraps[link]

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 up until the beginning of the 21st century.

Holiday items[link]

A sock is also used as a holiday item at christmas. The sock, or christmas stocking, is usually hung by a nail and filled with small presents which Santa brings while the recipients are asleep.

See also[link]

• Beoseon (traditional Korean socks)
• Leg warmer
• Sock puppet
• Stocking

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: socks

Look up sock in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Hitsclo.com, Children's Socks
• wheresocksgo.com, Where socks go

v t e Hosiery Lower leg Bobby socks Bootee Knee highs Leg warmer Loose socks Socks Tabi Toe socks Crew sock Dress socks Anklet Low cut Full leg Fully fashioned stockings Hold-ups Leggings Legskin Pantyhose Stocking Tights Historical Boothose · Hose Brands Aerie Aristoc Frederick's of Hollywood Gerbe Gilly Hicks Hanes HanesBrands Jockey International L'eggs Levante No Nonsense Pretty Polly Spanx Victoria's Secret VienneMilano Wolford

Shawntae Harris (born April 14, 1974), better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.

Early life[link]

Harris was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. Her parents were never married and Harris was subsequently raised in two different households.^[1] She lived part of the time with her mother and grandmother, and had attended a strict Pentecostal church four times a week, where she played drums and sang in the choir. She also lived with her father and his mother, where she had fewer restrictions. Harris attended Kenwood Academy from 88–89, where she ran track and played basketball, and she graduated from Academy of Scholastic Achievement in 1992.

Regarding her soon-to-be rap name, Harris told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she got the name because she is "a spoiled only child."^[1] Harris is the younger half-sister of actress LisaRaye McCoy.^[2]

Career[link]

1992–1995: Early success[link]

In 1992, Harris got a big break when she won the grand prize in a local rap contest sponsored by Yo! MTV Raps. For the prize, she got to meet Kris Kross, and they in turn introduced her to their producer, Jermaine Dupri, who signed her to his So So Def label. Dupri cultivated Da Brat's image as a "female Snoop Doggy Dogg", and she became one of the first female "reality-based" rappers.^[1]

Da Brat's debut album Funkdafied was released in 1994 and entered the rap albums chart at Number #1. The album went platinum, which made her the first female solo rapper to sell one million units. The single also entitled "Funkdafied" reached #1 on the rap singles chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. She had a follow-up hit from the same album, "Give It 2 You", which reached #26 on the Hot 100.

1996–1999: Collaborations and film projects[link]

In 1996, Da Brat released her second full-length album, Anuthatantrum, which included the single "Ghetto Love" featuring T-Boz of TLC.

During the rest of the '90s, Da Brat came to be known more for her "featured" appearances on other rappers' and R&B singers' albums rather than for her own solo work. She contributed a rhyme to the hip hop remix of Mariah Carey's hit, "Always Be My Baby". She also made her feature film debut that year in Kazaam with Shaquille O'Neal. During the summer of 1997, Da Brat appeared along with Dupri on a remix of Carey's "Honey (So So Def mix)" and recorded the hit remix of "Ladies' Night (Not Tonight)" with Lil' Kim, Left-Eye of TLC, Angie Martinez and Missy Elliott. Da Brat was also featured with Kris Kross on their track "Da Bomb" on the album Da Bomb, as well as on their third album Young, Rich and Dangerous.

In 1997, she was featured on "Sock It 2 Me", a track on Missy Elliott's debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. In 1999, she appeared, alongside Krayzie Bone, on the remix to Mariah Carey's cover of Brenda K. Starr's "I Still Believe". She also appeared as a guest artist with Elliott on Carey's remix of "Heartbreaker", and on the remix of Brandy's "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)". That year, she was also featured on a remix of the Destiny's Child single "Jumpin', Jumpin'".

2000–2003: Return to solo work[link]

In early 2000, Da Brat released her third full-length album Unrestricted, which produced the moderately successful singles "That's What I'm Looking For" (U.S. #56) and "What Chu Like" (U.S. #26), featuring soul singer, Tyrese. The album was not well received compared to Brat's earlier work. However, the new album and new millennium did inspire an image makeover for Da Brat. Abandoning her "gangsta" persona, she decided to follow the trend in popular music and attempted to add to her sex appeal.

In 2001, Brat continued her trend of being featured on other artist's remixes, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart along with rapper Ludacris on the main remix of Mariah Carey's "Loverboy" and being featured artist on Destiny's Child's "Survivor" remix. Da Brat also appeared as Louise in Carey's 2001 movie Glitter. In 2003, Brat released her fourth album, titled Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz, and appeared on the 4th season of VH1's The Surreal Life.

2005–present: Current activities[link]

In 2005, she made a comeback of sorts when she was featured on the remix to the song "I Think They Like Me," by Dem Franchize Boyz, which also featured Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2006, she was an onstage guest on Mariah Carey's The Adventures of Mimi Tour in Atlanta, New York City, Long Island, Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles performing her rap verses on the "Heartbreaker" and "Honey" remixes. She was also featured on Kelly Rowland's "Gotsta Go", a bonus track from her 2007 album Ms. Kelly and is also featured on a bonus track from Carey's E=MC² on a track entitled "4real4real". She also co-wrote a song with Mariah Carey called "O.O.C." which appears on E=MC² and contributes backing vocals on the track.

In 2007, she participated in the fifth season of the VH1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club.

In 2011, she did a remix with Kelly Rowland called "Motivation" featuring Lil Wayne.

Legal troubles, prison sentence, and controversy[link]

In 2001, Harris pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct after she had beaten a woman with a gun during a dispute over VIP seating in a Buckhead, Georgia, nightclub in 2000. The victim in that incident received six stitches for a head wound. Harris ended up serving a year's probation, performed 80 hours of community service and paid a $1,000 fine.^[3]

On October 31, 2007, she was involved in the altercation that ended in assault at a Halloween party at Studio 72 nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia. Harris sparred verbally with a hostess, and later, when the hostess proceeded to talk to her manager, Harris attacked her from behind, striking her in the face with a rum bottle. Harris entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault charges. She was sentenced to three years in prison, seven years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.^[3] In May 2010, she was temporarily released from prison as part of a work-release program ^[4] after serving 21 months.

On February 28, 2011, Jermaine Dupri announced that Da Brat was officially released from prison, completing her sentence.^[5]

Discography[link]

• Funkdafied (1994)
• Anuthatantrum (1996)
• Unrestricted (2000)
• Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz (2003)

Awards and nominations[link]

Grammy Awards

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

BET Awards

Billboard Awards

Film and television credits[link]

Film

References[link]

External links[link]

• Da Brat at Allmusic
• Da Brat at MTV
• Da Brat at the Internet Movie Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2011)

This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in the Vietnamese Wikipedia. (March 2009) Don't speak Vietnamese? Click here to read a machine-translated version of the Vietnamese article. Click [show] on the right to review important translation instructions before translating. Google's machine translation is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. After translating, {{Translated|vi|Mai Phương Thúy}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

Mai Phương Thúy
Born	(1988-08-06) August 6, 1988 (age 23) Hanoi, Vietnam
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Hair color	black
Eye color	brown
Measurements	86-65-95
Weight	60 kg

Mai Phương Thúy (August 6, 1988) was crowned the 10th Miss Vietnam^[1] at the Vinpearl Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam on August 26, 2006. She represented Vietnam at the Miss World 2006 pageant in Warsaw, Poland on September 30th, in the Asia-Pacific group. She made the first cut In Miss World 2006 by winning the viewers' votes around the world.

In 2006, she was voted by globalbeauties.com into the Top 50 of the annual Miss Grand Slam.

She had posed for photographs late in 2007 for the photographer Tran Huy Hoan, the set is described as "nude photos" - perhaps artistic but still risque for a "Miss Vietnam". Tran Huy Hoan has sold oil paintings of a nude lady which bear a likeness to Mai Phương Thúy. She supports numerous social causes, notably the Vietnamese traffic problem. She is the goodwill ambassador for the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation. She studied at Phan Dinh Phung high school and was accepted into the Foreign Trade University and RMIT International University, Vietnam. Mai Phuong Thuy is studying at RMIT Vietnam at the moment.

Thuy did and still does many charity works and she also participated in a movie called "Âm tính"(Negative).

Miss Viet Nam 2006[link]

The winner : Mai Phương Thuý (Hà Nội)

• 1st runner-up :Lưu Bảo Anh (Cần Thơ)
• 2nd runner-up : Lương Thị Ngọc Lan (Saigon)
• Finalists: Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Anh (Hải Phòng), Phạm Thuý Trang (Saigon)
• Semifinalists: Phạm Thị Thuỳ Dương (Hà Nội), Trần Thị Hương Giang (Hải Dương), Cao Thanh Hằng (Hà Nội), Trần Thanh Loan (Saigon), K' The (Lâm Đồng)

Miss World 2006[link]

Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy competed in Miss World 2006 pageant in Poland. Mai Phuong Thuy was the only East Asian contestant to join the top 17 in the final. She made the top 17 due to the highest online vote in her Asia-Pacific zone. Miss Czech Republic won the crown.

Movies[link]

• Âm tính(2007)

Mai Phương Thúy was casted as the main character Lam Uyen Nhi in the movie "Negative" (2007). The movie was about the real life Lam Uyen Nhi HIV/AIDs victim who suffers a life of unhappiness and loneliness.

References[link]