Why are pliers, pliers and not plier, like hammer?
It seems to be spelled as a plural, and is the same if it is plural. Other tools like plane, hammer, wrench and saw are not this way?
Anyone know the reason why?
Top 5 Answers
Favorite Answer
Pliers are like scissors in this way, once known as a pair of pliers, they retain the plural form.
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It’s called a pair of pliers just like a pair of scissors, b/c there have to be two working parts to constitute one tool. One could argue that a wrench also has to have two “sides” to work, but it is all just one tool w/an adjustable component.
Hope this helps!
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That’s a very good question. ‘Cause there are 2 parts in the 1 tool? Hence, spelled plural. (?)
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I guess it’s just another of those anomalies we find in the English language. Previous answers are correct in saying that it’s because the tool has 2 components. Like ‘trousers’ – 2 legs, versus ‘hat’ – 1 head!!
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Same reason scissors are scissors…because it’s made of two parts?
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