Sandals vs Flip Flops...WTF Wednesday

Ok - so I think it's safe to say most fashionistas know the difference between these two foot wear choices. The reason I bring this up is because 'Corporate' decided they want to throw certain types of sandals into the flip flop category making them inappropriate in the work place. I'm sending a BIG BS out on that.
This particular employee handbook has divided examples into "acceptable" & unacceptable. Flip Flops fall under unacceptable - however, the handbook clearly states "sandals may be worn other than flip flops".

Dictionary.com
Flip flops:
"any backless, usually open-toed flat shoe or slipper"
"a flat, backless rubber sandal, usually secured on the foot by a thong between the first two toes"

Sandals
"a shoe consisting of a sole of leather or other material fastened to the foot by thongs or straps"
"any various low shoes or slippers"
"a light, low rubber overshoe covering only the front part of a woman's high heeled shoe"
"a band or strap that fastens a low shoe or slipper on the foot by passing over the instep or around the ankle"

A little bit of history from wiki:
Flip flops were fashioned after Japanese footwear (zoris) held onto the foot by 2 thongs that rise from the side of sole, meet & attach to the sole between the 1st & 2nd toe.
Sandals is footwear based on the type worn in the Roman Empire. Usually manufactured of leather, held onto the foot by several thongs across the instep & strap behind & above the heel.

Now I can understand the confusion - many similarities between the two - but when applying to a "rule", I don't think what is written should contradict what is being said as the "law". It has been decided that ANY shoe that has a thong between the toes will be considered a 'flip flop'. Um...do we not see the problem here? And yes, this isn't necessarily a MAJOR deal but it is the principal that irritates me. Either sandals are acceptable or not...just saying.

Below are pictures of the two different styles of shoes...can you tell which is a flip flop & which is a sandal? To me it is clear. What do you think?