Why are pants called pants?

Hello.

The title of this thread contains the meat of the thread.

Why do we refer to pants as "a pair of pants" while pants is a single thing.

We don't say put on your shirts, we say put on your shirt.

Why do we make pants, slacks, trousers, shorts, etc. plural?

A shirt is a shirt but pants are a pair.

Because pants used to come in two pieces, one for each leg.

originally posted by: schuyler
Because pants used to come in two pieces, one for each leg.

I did not know that!

a reply to: schuyler

Really? Is that true?

originally posted by: schuyler
Because pants used to come in two pieces, one for each leg.

source? lol

Pants are short for pantaloons I believe. Our British members may have more information. And why are jeans called jeans? Shouldn't they be called denims or denim pants?

a reply to: jafo1973

I found this link. schuyler is correct.................www.sandiegoreader.com...#

originally posted by: PorteurDeMort
Pants are short for pantaloons I believe. Our British members may have more information. And why are jeans called jeans? Shouldn't they be called denims or denim pants?

Still you added the 's'.

Scissors are referred to in the plural. They are a pair of scissors.
They are really a pair of knives that are mated.

Never run with scissors.

a reply to: jafo1973
For the same reason that we talk about "a pair of scissors" rather than "a scissors". There are two elements.
P.S. We call them trousers.
Charles Dickens called them "unmentionables".

a reply to: jafo1973

Because they separate a couple of nuts?

(Just a wild guess, Schuyler is probably right.)

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: schuyler
Because pants used to come in two pieces, one for each leg.

I did not know that!

i miss jon.

originally posted by: PorteurDeMort And why are jeans called jeans? Shouldn't they be called denims or denim pants?

It's simple...the materials are different, and they are named after the cities in which they were invented.

Research on the trade of jean fabric shows that it emerged in the cities of Genoa, Italy, and Nîmes, France. Gênes, the French word for Genoa, may be the origin of the word "jeans". In Nîmes, weavers tried to reproduce jean but instead developed a similar twill fabric that became known as denim, from de Nîmes, meaning "from Nîmes". Genoa’s jean was a fustian textile of "medium quality and of reasonable cost", very similar to cotton corduroy for which Genoa was famous, and was "used for work clothes in general". Nîmes’s "denim" was coarser, considered higher quality, and was used "for over garments such as smocks or overalls".

Wikipantsia

Denim pants would probably suck to wear with that material rubbing on your skin all day.

originally posted by: Tarzan the apeman.
a reply to: jafo1973

I found this link. schuyler is correct.................www.sandiegoreader.com...#

I guess I'll accept that but it seems more an opinion than fact.

originally posted by: jafo1973

originally posted by: Tarzan the apeman.
a reply to: jafo1973

I found this link. schuyler is correct.................www.sandiegoreader.com...#

I guess I'll accept that but it seems more an opinion than fact.

Sorry, but I have been vindicated. Do you have a better answer?

a reply to: schuyler

Oh....you thought I had an answer?

I have no answer. I was asking a question.

Because pant is what a dog does and you wouldn't want that on your legs.


a reply to: jafo1973

originally posted by: Woodcarver
Because pant is what a dog does and you wouldn't want that on your legs.


a reply to: jafo1973

Especially if it is a leaky-tongued dog. All that dog saliva slobbering out.
Now cat fur.... that would make a nice pair of pants... fur facing in, of course.

a reply to: jafo1973

Absolutely great and frequent question! Why do we purchase a "pair" of pants, shorts, pajamas, jockeys, panties, glasses, socks, scizzors, shoes etc, etc, etc, etc....when in reality?

We cant just go and buy one "pant", one "scizzor", one 1/2 of a "pair of shorts, underwear, one shoe or a PANTY or pant" etc, etc, etc!!!!!!!

Go to the eye doc and say your left eye needs a new "glass" and not "glass-es". You'd look pretty funny with 1/2 an eyeglass (unless its an old time "monocle".)

Now, 1/2 a women's panty or 1/2 a guy's jock-strap? THAT would be hysterical!!!!!

originally posted by: butcherguy

originally posted by: Woodcarver
Because pant is what a dog does and you wouldn't want that on your legs.


a reply to: jafo1973

Especially if it is a leaky-tongued dog. All that dog saliva slobbering out.
Now cat fur.... that would make a nice pair of pants... fur facing in, of course.

Of course, but won't you leave bloody smears all over the place? I guess with comfy pants like that, some sacrifices are in order.