Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
hose, hosier, hosiery (nn.)
Hose were originally garments that covered the body from the waist down, like today’s pantyhose or tights. The term was also applied to some other garments as well but now refers to various leg coverings, including socks, stockings, footlets, and pantyhose or tights. Hosiery is a generic term for these items and similar knitwear, a term used mainly by the British and by toney American retailers of such items. The British retailer is a hosier.
