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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 24, 2006 Hose, breeches, and pants, oh my We do not say we bought a "pair" of shirts, but we do say that we bought a "pair" of pants. Where did this originate, and why? -- Jeff W., White City 'Tain't always been so, Jeff. Before the 15th century, men in the West wore hose. There was a piece for each leg (hence, a pair), and they were hooked at the top to a doublet. The whole cluster of clothing eventually became one garment, breeches, but the "pair" terminology was set. As you know, men generally wore skirts of one sort or another for thousands of years before pants came along and got popular — chitons, togas, kilts, robes, undertunics and so on. Breeches didn't really make it big until almost Shakespeare's day. And they weren't called that. "Pants" is an Americanism going back only to the 19th century. Pants were named for a stock character in the Italian commedia dell'arte named Pantalone. He was a miserly and randy old coot who wore both stockings and breeches. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com