stocking

This term describes a garment that is typically worn in pairs, which often leads to its use with the partitive phrase "a pair of" to specify a single unit of clothing. While it refers to a specific type of legwear, it is distinct from socks in that it generally extends much higher up the leg, often requiring a garter or elastic band for support.

In a festive context, the word shifts from a garment to a decorative container. This usage is culturally specific to holiday traditions, where the object functions as a makeshift sack rather than clothing, though it retains the shape of the original garment.