A 'pair' of trousers

[Bluwise]

Does anyone know why we buy a 'pair' of trousers, a 'pair' of shorts or a 'pair' of undies when there's only one of them? 
Just wondering......

[Lotty]

2 legs?

[bewva]

Good question. It can't be because you have a pair of legs or you would surely buy a pair of bras.  

[KKOB]

Because in "olden days", those items were made in 2 halves and were put on separately and held together at the waist with a cord or belt. So, you a had to buy a pair of halves to make a whole.

[Bluwise]

Blimey, that would be a bit drafty, especially if your undies were made in same way!

[Bluwise]

Good question. It can't be because you have a pair of legs or you would surely buy a pair of bras.   

Strange but my old Granny used to say "a pair of bras".....

[Dutchie]

Does anyone know why we buy a 'pair' of trousers, a 'pair' of shorts or a 'pair' of undies when there's only one of them? 

For the same reason you sit in a car but on a bus or a plane...the lack of logic in English  

[Jacqui Harvey]

I seem to remember Queen Victoria's knickers coming up in auction a while ago.  They where very long in two halves and had a ribbon around the waist to bring them together.  They made £11.000.

[Bluwise]

......and Anne Summers thought she invented something new when she brought out crotchless knickers   

Amazing what you can find out from this forum.