# So, apparently, the word "pair" is no longer useful **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 16, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131 "2011-05-16T19:53:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/22 "2011-05-16T22:14:12Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Ankle braces can be bought singularly. But they do come in an obvious pair - right and left. I meant “come” in the sense of _are sold as_. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So two ankle braces are not necessarily the same as a pair of ankle braces. I agree. And **Acsenray** ’s formulation–“two pairs”–should have made it instantly clear what he wanted. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/23 "2011-05-16T22:22:29Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > First of all, ankle braces, like shoes, are different for the left and right. It makes perfect sense to ask for them in pairs. > > Furthermore, unless you don’t share the same understanding of the word “pair” that I do, I don’t see any “set up” for confusion at all. Even if you’re right and ankle braces are sold as singles, there’s no way that “two pairs” means anything less than four. Asking for one pair, you’d have gotten two pieces. Asking for three pairs, you’d have gotten six pieces. Just try not to order exactly four pieces at a time anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/24 "2011-05-16T22:27:36Z")
So, you are suggesting that there is a linguistic issue here? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/25 "2011-05-16T22:28:20Z")
If you were an archer, and asked for two pairs of arrows, you’d get six of them. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/26 "2011-05-16T22:33:49Z")
'Cause, if so, that discussion would interest me. Is it the case that in some contexts “two pairs” is ambiguous? Why? To whom? How did it happen? Where? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/27 "2011-05-16T23:30:26Z")
Hijack: Did you change your username from acsenray to Acsenray? I seem to remember that the initial letter was lower case. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/28 "2011-05-17T01:21:52Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > 'Cause, if so, that discussion would interest me. Is it the case that in some contexts “two pairs” is ambiguous? Why? To whom? How did it happen? Where? I can see the legitimate possibility of confusion in items that are referred to as a pair even though they are actually a single item: eyeglasses, pants, scissors. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/29 "2011-05-17T01:41:03Z")
The worse part is if you ever have to order these again, and to avoid confusion clarify that you’d like two left and to right…and anyone but this guy will say, “Yes, I understand that. I’m not an idiot.” Can’t win, can you? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/30 "2011-05-17T01:58:24Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I can see the legitimate possibility of confusion in items that are referred to as a pair even though they are actually a single item: eyeglasses, pants, scissors. Right in that they’re usually imagined as a single item, but are typically two conjoined mirror objects. I think convention begs that items that have a left/right of something (lenses, pant leg, scissor) be referred to as a pair. If your a native English speaker, this should come quite naturally. This case is a _bit_ different in that ankle braces aren’t conjoined. They’re also not as common as socks, shoes or gloves. Perhaps the guy was unaware that ankle braces come in a left and right configuration? Even still, I think I wouldn’t have had any trouble parsing the OP’s request. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/31 "2011-05-17T02:48:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Hijack: Did you change your username from acsenray to Acsenray? I seem to remember that the initial letter was lower case. Yup. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2127837](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2127837) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2148694](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2148694) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2139048](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2139048) Life experience has taught me to be very careful when relying on others if you want to get what you want. I would have asked for two right braces and two left braces. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/32 "2011-05-17T02:55:56Z")
Or two **sets** of ankle braces. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/33 "2011-05-17T02:58:20Z")
You think someone might screw up ‘pair’ but do fine with ‘set’? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/34 "2011-05-17T03:09:15Z")
If they come in packs of two, I would in the future ask for: Two packs. Being as each pack contains a pair, iI would also have expected a request for two pair to result in the delivery of two packs, but it’s apparently an unusual enough request that the order taker didn’t figure on the obvious, or just hadn’t inserted his brain before leaving the house that morning. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/35 "2011-05-17T03:30:35Z")
😕 OK color me confused. First off I read it as a pair of ankle bracelets. Why would bracelets come in a pair? Then I went back and re-read :smack: Now I am more confused than ever. I have a bad ankle from shattering my heel 17 years ago. I have ankle braces. Lots of ankle braces. I have looked at even more styles of them than I have ever purchased. I have never seen them sold in a pair, OR that were handed (lefts or rights) Did I mention I was confused? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/36 "2011-05-17T03:38:28Z")
Here are some products being marketed as ankle braces that come in left and right. [http://healthytraks.com/index.php?case=product&proddb=1&pid=17009](http://healthytraks.com/index.php?case=product&proddb=1&pid=17009) [http://www.aircaststore.com/product/air-stirrup-pediatric-ankle-brace](http://www.aircaststore.com/product/air-stirrup-pediatric-ankle-brace) > **[Amazon.com: Aircast A60 Ankle Support Brace, Left Foot, Black, Large (Shoe Size:...](https://www.amazon.com/Aircast-Ankle-Support-Brace-Black/dp/B00NOW6RF8)** > > Supports the weakest point of the ankle, yet allows for normal dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion (bending) If you Google _ankle brace pair_, you’ll find plenty being sold as pairs. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/37 "2011-05-17T04:06:12Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > If you were an archer, and asked for two pairs of arrows, you’d get six of them. Okay William Tell, care to explain before I go nuts? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/38 "2011-05-17T04:29:58Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Okay William Tell, care to explain before I go nuts? I’ve never heard of it either, but I’ll hazard a WAG: In target archery as a sport, I’m guessing the archer uses 3 arrows in his quiver for an intended target. Perhaps these 3 arrows are (counter-intuitively) dubbed a “pair”? ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/39 "2011-05-17T06:26:41Z")
Now I’ve read the word “pair” so much it no longer has any meaning! ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/40 "2011-05-17T06:45:57Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I can conceive of there being some kind of set of hammers that is sold in pairs, say, a regular claw hammer and … uh … another kind of hammer. In that case you might ask for two pairs. Why not? Ball peen. I’m not really contributing much to the thread. I just like saying _ball peen_. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2011, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131/41 "2011-05-17T06:54:16Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Or two **sets** of ankle braces. Or two brace of braces. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-apparently-the-word-pair-is-no-longer-useful/582131.md?page=3)