Pairs
A pair denotes two of something. A pair of socks – one for each foot; a pair of gloves, right and left, but a pair of spectacles, with a separate lens for each eye, is a single item. Similarly, a pair of tweezers or scissors or pliers are single implements, composed of two symmetrical parts.
A pair of knickers comprises two elements joined in the middle. Originally, knickers or ‘drawers’ were two leg coverings joined at the waist with buttons, ribbons, or laces. They were called drawers because they were drawn or pulled up over the legs (so why weren’t they called ‘pullers’?)
Trousers also originated as two tubes of material. Things that started as two elements but became one are ‘bifurcated’ items. They can be divided into two even parts.
I have often wondered about a "pair" of trousers or knickers. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIn the world I inhabit it's always a question whether one has a pair of binoculars, or simply binoculars.
ReplyDeleteI used to know a woman who referred to a bra as a pair of bras, meaning one item.oddly logical though.
ReplyDeleteVery cool about knickers and trousers, or drawers and tubes.
ReplyDelete