What it means: Scary things usually come out at night, but the hot summer days are bringing out something truly terrifying – men in sandals. You can hear them a mile off as they shlep down the street in their mandals, flip-flops and Birkenstocks, like a marauding army of zombies in shorts. If you thought cankles (a seamless blend of calf and ankle) were bad, take a look at the mankle (man-ankle). On second thoughts, don't. Most Irish mankles are best kept safely hidden, not exposed in the unforgiving sun.
Where it comes from: It was all so much simpler in Roman times – you wore your sandals all year round, to work, to toga parties and to war. In modern times, the man/sandal conundrum has become more complex. Sandals with socks? (No). With long trousers? (No). On a first date? (No, unless to a toga party). So, what do you wear in the heat? Unless you're blessed with good physique and a Mediterranean skin tone – or you're a centurion – best stick with light deck shoes, light socks and light trousers, and save the sandals for the beach. Or the battle of Heraclea.
How to say it:"Look on the bright side, Mary: at least the electronic tag covers up his mankles."
