Question: I need help with the connotation of the phrase *flip flop*. Let me explain – I am working on a small project that is meant to promote travelling and education through travelling and getting to know other cultures. I have to come up with a catchy name for it. “Flip-flop nation” came to mind but I was wondering if used in this way the phrase carries the right emotional association. I know that *flip flop* also has several negative meanings.

I would appreciate any insight on this subject.

Answer: 
I would associate the phrase *Flip-flop nation* with the sort of poverty illustrated here...

![Poverty in the Congo](https://i.stack.imgur.com/fSzIA.jpg)

...where it's implied that the entire nation is only shod in flip-flops, if that. I suppose that this depend on the understanding of *flip-flop,* which I take to be the rather fetching pink footwear at the bottom-left of the picture (as opposed to electronic devices or politicians).

Consequently the phrase is undesirable. You would be contrasting the affluence of those who can afford to visit far-flung places with the inhabitants of those countries.

(Image from *[What Shoes Gotta Do With It?](http://www.endingextremepoverty.org/2011/02/what-shoes-gotta-do-with-it.html)*, purely as an illustration, not a political statement)
I'm having a hard time making the jump from *flip flop* to travel and multicultural experiences. 

Perhaps *to and fro* carries the connotation that you're trying to convey?

From NOAD:

> 
> **to and fro** *noun* constant movement backward and forward  
> 
>                                      • constant change in action, attitude, or focus.
> 
> 
> 

Whereas for flip-flop:

> 
> **flip-flop**
> *noun*
>  1 a light sandal, typically of plastic or rubber, with a thong between the big and 2nd toe.  
> 
>  2 a backward somersault or handspring.  
> 
>  3 informal an abrupt reversal of policy : *his flip-flop on taxes*.  
> 
>  4 Electronics a switching circuit that works by changing from one stable state to another, or through an unstable state back to its stable state, in response to a triggering pulse. 
> 
> 
> *verb* [intrans.]
>  1 [with adverbial of direction] move with a flapping sound or motion : *she flip-flopped off the porch in battered sneakers*.  
> 
>  2 perform a backward somersault or handspring : [figurative] *Julie's stomach flip-flopped*.  
> 
>  3 [informal] make an abrupt reversal of policy : *the candidate flip-flopped on a number of issues.*
> 
> 
> 

Then again, I don't know if *To-and-Fro Nation* would be catchy enough for your tastes. Also, *to and fro* can have negative connotations of its own; NOAD also says:

> 
> **to and fro** *verb* move constantly backward and forward  
> 
>                                     • repeatedly discuss or think about something without making any progress.
> 
> 
>