@pamish 4 March 2021 more from that month

The word ‘slipper’ in English dates back to 1478, originating from the verb ‘to slip,’ presumed by the easy motion of putting on the garment. However, ‘to slip’ could also mean ‘to strike or beat with a slipper.’ Slippering was a common form of punishment in schools for naughty children. As late as 1980, a school in Liverpool issued 1,800 slipperings in a year!