Stiletto U.S. V-42 stiletto, while in American English usage, the name "stiletto" can also refer to a switchblade knife with a stiletto- or bayonet-type blade design. The term in plural "stilettos", is also used as slang for a long, thin, high heel (stiletto heel) for certain boots and shoes, usually worn by women. First developed in Italy, the stiletto dates from the late 15th century, and is thought to be a development of the rondel dagger or "misericordia", a needle-pointed weapon with a narrow blade designed primarily for thrusting, though possessing cutting edges. Early stilettos normally used a one-piece cast-metal handle
Stiletto heel courtiers. The stiletto heel came with the advent of technology using a supporting metal shaft or stem embedded into the heel, instead of wood or other, weaker materials that required a wide heel. This revival of the opulent heel style can be attributed to the designer Roger Vivier and such designs became very popular in the 1950s. As time went on, stiletto heels would become known more for their erotic nature than for their ability to make height. Stiletto heels are a common fetish item. As a fashion item, their popularity has changed over time. After an initial wave of