Pluralization of the Lower Half

When I refer to pluralization in this context, I am not referring to postmodern universalism or epistemological philosophy (though they make me sound smarter than I am). Rather, I am referring to the bizarre tendency in the English language to refer to clothing worn from the waist down in the plural form. Let me demonstrate:

-Pants
-Shorts
-Trousers
-Trunks
-Socks (ok, so that one is obvious)

Sure, there are exceptions such as dress, skirt and underwear, but doesn't that seem odd to you? And what's with the reference to pairs? A PAIR of pants? Some might argue that the two pant legs make up the pair, but that doesn't account for the rest of the article of clothing. And a PAIR of shorts even further proves this point, as short legs make up the least amount of the piece!

In the end, you may read this and go, "Yeah! Wow, isn't that strange!", but in all likelihood you will read this and go, "Yeah! Wow, isn't HE strange!".

Both, in fact, would be true.