A stupid question.

[Forestbear]

So I was reading a novel and it described a girl in her bra and panties.
It got me thinking why we say panties and boxers even though there is only a singular article being worn.
Why is that?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

What?

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Because there are different styles of underwear. You have boxers, briefs, tidy whities, panties, lingerie, long underwear, and more. Each serving a different purpose so that people can decide what they find to be the most comfortable and/or useful for their purpose. Boxers were designed for those with larger genitalia as it allows more room compared to briefs. Panties are meant to be comfortable without being flashy while lingerie can be both flashy and comfortable depending. Long underwear is to keep warm and not much else. So, yeah, different purposes for different types. Bra's are similar as there are different types as well. Sports, push-up, nursing, and training bra's each have different purposes as well being different types. Though I have never met a woman who believes that wire fitted bra's are comfortable.

 

[owotrucked]

Are you asking why those pieces of clothing are in plural form? Like glasses, or scissors? Dunno man, in my language it's all singular.

Maybe its the logic that you have 2 balls, 2 boobs, 2 legs, etc.

 

[georgelee5786]

What

 

[Forestbear]

Are you asking why those pieces of clothing are in plural form? Like glasses, or scissors? Dunno man, in my language it's all singular.

Maybe its the logic that you have 2 balls, 2 boobs, 2 legs, etc.

Yeah. I'm trying to figure out why we say a phrase like " I'm in my boxers" or "she was wearing her bra and panties". Its a dumb question, but just something I can't seem to get out of my head now.

 

[owotrucked]

Yeah. I'm trying to figure out why we say a phrase like " I'm in my boxers" or "she was wearing her bra and panties". Its a dumb question, but just something I can't seem to get out of my head now.

Internet says its related to the way they were made.
Panties come from pants. Pants were made by putting two leg parts together. I know there were renaissance tight fitted pants that were separated at the crotch and needed another cloth underneath for the middle.

Bra comes from brassière and probably started just as a monopiece of cloth that wrapped around the chest rather than the combination of two parts like pants.

We should start a petition to rename them all with singular words like ballbag, double sleeve legwrapper and boobcarrier

 

[AiLovesToGrow]

Because etymology is the historical collection of language.

https://undywear.com/why-is-it-called-pair-of-underwear/

 

[Forestbear]

Now

Because etymology is the historical collection of language.

https://undywear.com/why-is-it-called-pair-of-underwear/

Now it makes sense.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Because we have two ovaries or two testicles, duh!

 

[RavenRunes]

Knickerbockers and bloomers. I mean...yeah.

 

[Gryphon]

You don't call a T-shirt and sweater the same thing because they're made with similar fabric and are worn over your abdomen. Same thing with panties and boxers. They're different articles of clothing despite having a similar function.