inconsistency?

Question

Hi,Just googled for the following sentences:(1) What is your pants size? (476,000 occurrences)(2) What is your pant size? (130,000)(3) what is your trouser size? (456)(4) What is your trousers size? (4) The results look unexpected to me. I am aware that the word "pants" is much more common than "trousers" in modern English (even in BrEng).Is (2) correct grammar?Is (3) correct grammar?I would expect (4) to be more frequent than (3) but it is not the case?Could you please help tell the right from the wrong?Thank you!mus-te

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

I suppose that because 'trousers' is less common than 'pants', speakers are more likely to think it has a singular form.

Enoon · Answer

The "s" sound doesn't flow into another "s" sound very easily, so we drop one "s" and consistency be damned. I would write it as the plural both times, myself.

MUSCOVITE · Answer

enoon and consistency be damned

One follow-up question then

"What size do you wear in women's?" (A)

Is it correct grammar?

If it is, why does (A) usually mean "What size do you wear in women's shoes?" (B)

Thank you!

Enoon · Answer

MUSCOVITE"What size do you wear in women's?" (A)Is it correct grammar?

Correct enough for jazz. "Sizes" is understood (What size do you wear in women's sizes?). I would not use such a construction in formal writing.

MUSCOVITEIf it is, why does (A) usually mean "What size do you wear in women's shoes?"

Does it? I have to get out to the mall more, I guess. It stands to reason when you think about it, though. What else would it be but shoes?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

"What size do you wear in women's shoes?"

In a context where shoes are clearly the subject (eg in a shoe store) 'shoes' would commonly be omitted.

If speaking to a woman. 'women's' would also be omitted.

( Unless you are asking a man what size he wears in women's shoes

)

Common queries are -

What size do you wear?
What size are you?
What size?

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITEJust googled for the following sentences:(1) What is your pants size? (476,000 occurrences)(2) What is your pant size? (130,000)(3) what is your trouser size? (456)(4) What is your trousers size? (4) The results look unexpected to me.

To me as well. It seems as if American contributions to the internet far outweigh British contributions.

My understanding of it is this. To the British "pants" are underclothing.

American ... = ... British

pants ..................trousers
underpants...........pants
panties (women's) ... pants

pants size ........... trouser size

Less frequently,

trousers...............trousers

CJ

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CliveWhat size do you wear?
What size are you?
What size?

Thanks, Clive!

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