Hi cyclefreak,
In the American version of the English language a G string is a panty with very little coverage in front and a very thin piece of fabric that goes between the buttocks. This strip of fabric may not exceed 3/4 inch (1.91 cm)in order for the garment to be a called a G string. Tradition is held that the thin strip of fabric between the buttocks was as thin as the G string on a violin; the thickest string on the instrument, but still pretty darn thin.
A thong panty is similar to a G string in that it also has a thin bit of fabric that goes between the buttocks, however the interbuttock strip on the thong is not as thin as on the G string and the cloth panel at the front part of the thong panty may be wider than the front panel on a G string.
I can understand how people can be confused as the two garments are quite similar and to many may be virtually the same. Still, purveyors of fine lingerie make a distinction and if one looks closley at a classic example of each the difference should be quite obvious.
If you notice the definition of tanga in source #4 below you will see that it says, "Tanga - A panty that is similar to a boy short but is cut higher in the back of the leg. Usually made of lace or sheer fabric." I live in Mexico where both the thong and the G string are called tanga. Even in lingerie stores. And what Victoria's Secret and Frederick's of Hollywood, two of USA's largest popular lingerie chains, call a tanga is called in Mexico "boxis."
I hate Mexican lingerie stores for a number of reasons which I will not go into here.
Sources:
1. I buy quite a bit of lingerie
2.
http://www.senselingerie.com/t-dictionary.aspx
3.
http://www.2cutelingerie.com/lingeri...ary-134-ct.htm
4.
http://beautifulessentials.com/index...n=Custom&ID=11