Xu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Tanned Leather (wéi) 24 strokes Page 1395, Entry 32 Pronounced wa According to the Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to foot coverings. Formed by the radical for tanned leather and the phonetic component mie. Note: Xu Xuan stated that the common contemporary form is written differently, which is incorrect. Book of Zuo (Zuozhuan), twenty-fifth year of Duke Ai: Chushi Shengzi put on his socks before stepping onto the mat. Note: In ancient times, one removed their socks when meeting a lord. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Zhang Shizhi: Wang Sheng said, My sock has come undone. Extended Dictionary (Guangyun): Sometimes written as variant forms. Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Sometimes written as various variant forms.