The only place I’ve ever seen ‘a scissors’ was in old Peanuts cartoons
I was going to say the same thing. It was so unusual that I specifically remember it after 30+ years.
this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2023
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I've heard both "a scissors" and "a pliers", but never "a pants" or "a glasses". If pressed, I don't think anybody would object to the proper term being "a pair of". Since you mention Peanuts, maybe it's a Midwest thing, since Charles Schulz grew up in Minnesota.
maybe it’s a Midwest thing
That could be it. I guess in the TV show, the writers are trying to show that Monk is an old fashioned guy who uses outdated terms.
Why more words, when few words better?
Most people just leave out the useless and awkward ‘a’.
— “Do you have pliers?”
— “This was cut with scissors.”
Yes, I’m wearing pants and glasses