Trivia by Ken Tate

"Why are some things called pairs when there is only one of them? One example is a pair of pants? Or, what about a pair of scissors, not one scissor?" -- Lena

"Webster's Dictionary generally has two definitions of a "pair," Lena. 1) Two corresponding persons or items, similar in form or function and matched or associated: a pair of shoes. 2) One object composed of two joined, similar parts that are dependent upon each other: a pair of pliers.

It's easy to understand why scissors are called a "pair" -- there are two joined, similar parts that are dependent upon each other. But pants, underwear or other such clothing are similar because of the two parts making up where the left and right legs go through. The two leg openings make them all a "pair."

Now, I wonder, why don't we call a shirt a "pair of shirts" since it similarly has two parts that are dependent upon each other? Ah, the idiosyncrasies of the English language!" -- Ken Tate