Does Three of a Kind Beat a Pair?
By Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
United States
April 30, 2008 6:43am CST
I saw this on a trivia question this morning and figured I'd share with those of you that have been puzzled by this (as I have been!).
Have you ever wondered why some things are called 'a pair' when there is only one of them?
A pair o' scissors ...
A pair o' pants ...
A par a'dise ...
(Oh wait, that's something else - sorry!)
Here is the answer that was published:
[i]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![/i]
What other things about the English language have always bugged you?
2 people like this
3 responses
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
30 Apr 08
Now, I wonder, why don't we call a shirt a "pair of shirts"
That use to drive me nuts LOL then I decided its because the main body of the shirt ISNT a pair of anything whereas with pants the main body IS...
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I think it's splitting hairs, really. Who thunk up all this stuff anyway?
@jtr115 (722)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I've actually heard scissors being referred to in the singular and plural sense: "a pair of scissors" and "a scissors." However, it's usually plural when used in a sentence. People say "the scissors are in the drawer" instead of "the scissors is in the drawer."
If pants are "a pair of pants," then why isn't a brassiere a pair?
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I was wondering how long it was going to take before someone brought up the bra!
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 May 08
You are right, I never thought of it, shirt is not a pair but pants are. maybe it has to to do with the part extending from the bottom like legs and not arms, even the scissors or pliers, it is the part that extends from the base that makes it a pair.
@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
30 Apr 08
It's not the same when it's different !
'i' before the 'e' except after 'c' - yet there are lots of words that contradict that statement.
There are so many words to describe one thing so why not use the one word for all to use.
Have a great english digest from Deeeky.
