We've all heard of shoelaces, shoestrings, or bootlaces tied to our shoes. Yet, do you know that shoelaces are taking up almost every part of our lives, and not just on our shoes?

If I were you, I probably would have no idea of where else shoelaces may appear either. However, since I come from the world of shoelaces, why not let me show you the different facets of shoelaces? You'll be amazed by how this tiny ornament is actually helping us live an easier and more colorful life.

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, "laces" refer to the "string that you use to fasten openings, especially in shoes, by putting it through two lines of small holes and tying the ends together". To put it more broadly, the Britannica defines "lace" as an "ornamental, openwork fabric formed by looping, interlacing, braiding, or twisting threads". As discussed earlier, laces may be known in the form of shoelaces. However, it is also presented in a variety of ways. Here are some of its representations:

There are still a tons more brilliant shoelace applications (e.g. the protective layer for USB cords). Some are easier to find, whereas the others are a bit harder to discover. Why not take a look around your house, and see if you can spot them out?

Read in Japanese:

• 随所に見られる織紐