headphones

[keannu]

Is this plural "headphones" just an idiomatic use instead of "a headphone"? Is it like trousers or glasses which have two symmetrical parts? At first, I thought it means a noun in general with a plural form.

A: Could you turn off your stereo?
B: Sorry, but I can't
A: Then, could you put on headphones?
B:Sure, I'll do it.

gzg-59

[JMurray]

Yes, when it has a pair of earpieces it's "headphones", like glasses. This refers to the larger style attached by a brace across the top of the head.
The smaller ones that are used with iPhones and other devices, the leads of which tend to dangle from the ear(s), are called earphones, or earphone in the singular.
Headphones are sometimes jokingly called "eargoggles".

not a teacher