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Why do we say "a pair of pants" when pants are a single item?

Update:

Why do we say "a pair or underwear" when talking about a single item?

2 Answers

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  • 3 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Goes back to when 'pair of pants' regarding the item of clothing as two separate items (one for each leg).

  • Cogito
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    Because when they were first worn, they consisted of two pieces, one on each leg, and the tops crossed over and were tied around the waist.

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