I have a neck but no head, two arms but no hands. What am I?

This clever riddle plays on our understanding of common terms for body parts. The "neck" of the item refers to the opening where one's head goes through, typically surrounded by a collar or neckline. Similarly, the "two arms" are the sleeves, designed to cover the wearer's actual arms. Since it's an inanimate object, it naturally has no head or hands of its own, making a shirt the perfect fit for this description.

The history of this everyday garment stretches back thousands of years. Early forms of shirts, such as tunics made from linen, have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs, dating as far back as 3500 BC. For much of its history, the shirt served primarily as an undergarment, worn close to the skin to protect outer clothing from sweat and dirt. It was often considered improper to display one's shirt in public.

Over centuries, the shirt evolved from a hidden layer to a prominent fashion statement. By the Renaissance, elaborate collars and lace cuffs began to emerge as symbols of status, and in the 19th century, fine linen shirts became important items for gentlemen. The word "shirt" itself traces its roots to Old English "scyrte," related to a Proto-Germanic word for a "short garment". Today, shirts are ubiquitous, available in countless styles and materials, transforming from simple protective wear into a fundamental part of global fashion.