A Pair Of Underpants

[Hopkirk]

Why is this plural?

Surely a pair suggests there are two of them, but I've looked at mine and can't see what they are talking about.

[murraymints]

like a pair of specs..curious and curiouser

[Tilly2]

Two pairs of underpants.

[Tilly2]

...or two pairs of knickers.

[Hopkirk]

Can I buy one trouser?

[Stephen_G]

Borrowed from thefreedictionary.com website:

3. an object considered to be two identical or similar things joined together: a pair of trousers.

[Tilly2]

Sorry, I misread this. I thought it said, 'What is the plural?'

[murraymints]

hoppy ,wearing a pair of specs, pulled on a pair of pants and went to pare a pear for brekkie !!

[douglas9401]

One pant could be mistaken for a sigh.

[Old_Geezer]

Count the leg holes (or the number of lenses/eyes) ?

Buy a trouser and one leg'll get chilly.

[Hopkirk]

Surely it should be a pair of bras?

[murraymints]

EEK ^

[albaqwerty]

why do americans wear pants instead of trousers?

[murraymints]

Hoppy's in despair
he wants A pant..not a pair
but with two legs , not one
how can this be done
without stumbling right doon the stair !

[Old_Geezer]

I guess "pants" were a correct word but we had the alternative of "trousers" that become the one in popular use here. When you think of it we use the shortened form "pants" for "underpants", which suggests at one time it was clear they were really worn under "pants".

[Old_Geezer]

... was a correct word (noun) ?

[murraymints]

hands up..who doesn't wear pants ???

[albaqwerty]

Commandos don't

[Hopkirk]

Thanks for the ode, Murray.

[murraymints]

Hoppy has A pant on..
he also wears A spek
he can't see where he's hopping
tis a right old real train wreck
he needs to get get his legs back
in two holes not just one
to walk upright and proper
and maybe even run !!

[woofgang]

originally underwear was made with two separate legs and no crotch, so they were a pair.