WOTD - scissors

Scissors
-noun

Pronunciation:
[SIZ-erz]

Definition:
1. ( used with a singular or plural verb ) a cutting instrument for paper, cloth, etc., consisting of two blades, each having a ring-shaped handle, that are so pivoted together that their sharp edges work one against the other (often used with pair of ).
2. ( used with a singular verb ) Gymnastics . any of several feats in which the legs execute a scissorlike motion.
3. ( used with a singular verb ) Wrestling . a hold secured by clasping the legs around the body or head of the opponent.

Etymology:
late 14c., sisoures, from O.Fr. cisoires (pl.) "shears," from V.L. *cisoria (pl.) "cutting instrument," from *cisus (in compounds such as L. excisus, pp. of excidere "to cut out"), ultimately from L. caedere "to cut" (see -cide). Spelling with sc- is 16c., from influence of M.L. scissor "tailor," from L. "carver, cutter," from pp. stem of scindere "to split." Usually with pair of (attested from c.1400) when indication of just one is required, but a sing. form without the -s was occasionally used (mid-15c., cysowre). In Scotland, shears answers for all sizes; but in England generally that word is used only for those too large to be worked by one hand. Sense in wrestling is from 1904. Oh scissors! was a 19c. exclamation of impatience or disgust.

Quote with the word:
"The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path."
- Mason Cooley, U.S. aphorist

Well, can't say I've learned too many new words to use in poems with your WOTD's, Jordan, but your word choices are certainly interesting and I love to read their etymologies.

Aww sorry. I have this problem where I pick them based on the depth of their etymology.

Don't apologize, but maybe every now and then throw in a word many of us wouldn't know and could use in a poem. That's just a suggestion, not a command :)

Keep up the good work, you rock my world.

I wonder if the expression, "Oh scissors!" warped into, "Cut it out!"

Lol, Jane! I might have to start saying that.

Is there a relation to the German word "schnitt" as in "to cut?"

I really like learning the roots of these common words. Hang on, did I suggest this one?

JANE! Maybe, but I dunno. Hahaha.

Sibby! scearra (pronounced [SHEA-ARRA]) means shears or scissors in old english, so it's verrry possible that these words have a similar root, yep! :D

That being said, G. schnitt, MnE. shears, and MnE. scissors most likely all evolved independently of one another.

That is so silly.

Youuuu guys are silly. Hey Jordan, can you do beguile as a WOTD?

Now, that's interesting Hellon, lol.

Thanks Jordan for taking your time to gather and share these words with us :)

Hahaha, you crack me up, Hellon... and you bring up some valid points :)

A pair of scissors, I've never thought about what that means literally.

You've got a good point. I think it does have to do with the fact that there are 2 distinct blades, thus creating a plural. Sort of similar to "pants" where it is a pair of pants and yet there is only one! It is a common phenomenon amongst many languages for sure.

A pair of bras?? I guess something it feels like I'm carrying around an extra pair.. dang tatas!!

What about a pair of sunglasses? Or glasses in general? I wear a pair of eyeglasses. Weird indeed!

Really, a pair? That's neat. I've never heard that before.

Well, I think in the case of the eyeglasses it makes sense. It used to be much simpler, didn't it: just a single pane of glass to see through. So glasses as they are now, a pair of glasses, makes sense, no?

Hmmm, Jordan. Now I want to know the history of the word "pants"... did "pant" at one point mean a single leg covering?

And then there's the fact that, in some countries, "pants" means underwear, something rather distinct from "trousers." I got a couple of odd looks in Ireland, for that one.

^
Yeah, dialect can change a lot from country to country.

Umm I can't find any proper information but as far as I can tell, all words attested since even the days of Old English (600-1200 CE) were plural. Britches, pantaloons, tights, trousers, pants. There is never really a singular form. This is the only on I can find:

Breeches
"c.1200, a double plural, from O.E. brec "breeches," which already was pl. of broc "garment for the legs and trunk,""

So in Old English it was already commonly used as a plural and then it was pluralized once more during Middle English. Weird, huh?

My guess, though, is simply that there was no real use for a singular "pant" and so the word as a singular noun was phased out historically.

The glasses thing still makes no sense. The only plural part really are the lenses. You don't say "I've got to find my lenses", they're a pair of glasses.. lol

Lol, sure it does, Britt! Two pieces of glass, attached with wire, makes for glass-es, plural, therefore a pair (2!) of glasses!