So, when did "Pants" become "Pant"?

[DaggerJohn]

In my entire life, mens wearing apparel for below the waist (e.g., trousers, slacks, etc,) were called "pants", or "a pair of pants" (implying a single leg was a "pant").

But more and more recently I see them advertised and sold as "pant". (I think Ralph Lauren started this.) So when did "pants" become "pant", and why? Is this some sort of affectation from the fashionable world of fashion? It sounds so gauche!

Is a "pant" an expensive pair of "pants"?

[mythoughts]

To me they are "pants", just as you would wear a pair of "glasses", and you would call call one lens a "glass".
However, I may say I tore my "pant" leg if say I ripped one leg of my pants.

[WKDWZD]

To me they are "pants", just as you would wear a pair of "glasses", and you would call call one lens a "glass".
However, I may say I tore my "pant" leg if say I ripped one leg of my pants.

You would call one lens a monocle.

[ThereIsDuty]

Its still pants to me!

[crabsnbeer]

"Now let's you just drop them pants."

[Ravensroost]

I think crabsnbeer is on the right track.
Let's do a practicality check on use of the 'replacement' word "pant"...

"She has ants in the pant"
"He puts his pant on one leg at a time"
"I laughed so hard i pissed my pant"
"So you think you're little miss smarty pant huh?"
"I love how she wears tight pant"
"I see who wears the pant in YOUR family!"
"Her as s looks great in those pant"
"He's got a nice bulge in his pant"
"He sh it his pant"
"I'd like to get in your pant"

Nah, doesn't work for me.