While the standard Millennial response to this news is a disdainful eye-roll bemoaning the ill-advised if inevitable return of some of the most regrettable fashion errors of the early 21st century, I, for one, I am thrilled by the prospect of thongs once again rising above low-rise jeans. Paris Hilton, a living mannequin for many of the buzziest early aughts fashion trends, was a noted whale-tail enthusiast back in the day and could often be found running about with a G-string on display for paparazzi. What both of these examples have in common, however, is that they are less about sexiness than they are about power. From a young age, women are taught to hide any evidence that we are, in fact, humans with female-presenting bodies, and to feel shame if we fail to do so. Well-meaning friends — and sometimes even educators — tap us on the shoulder and warn us in whisper tones that our bra strap is visible, because god forbid anyone find out that you, a human female, are wearing a bra.

Skip navigation! Story from Style. The whale tail is back. Need proof? On TikTok, WhaleTail has more than 32 million views.

Top definition. Whale Tail. Aug 17 Word of the Day.