A Couple

Cosimo · 1 Mar 2011 at 13:01

It has always been two for me.

krooton · 1 Mar 2011 at 13:08

Whilst I know that technically it means two or a pair, I have always used it to infer between 2-4.

Perfect example is when someone says that they are popping to the shops to pick up a couple of things, they almost never mean only 2 items.

For me:
Couple = 2-4
Few = 4-6
Several = 7-9
Many = 10+

But it's usage is as subjective as it is contextual.

Vonhelmet · 1 Mar 2011 at 13:41

We've argued this before.

Technically, 2.

Colloquially, some use it in a similar sense to "few".

Tombstone · 1 Mar 2011 at 13:47

For me, its 2 and only 2. Slightly more is a few, slightly more than that is several.

Edrof · 1 Mar 2011 at 13:55

Gilly said:
2 things.

This.

Its_Me · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:00

Ill post my thoughts on this once the thread has a 'few' more replies

Cosimo · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:01

Its_Me said:
Ill post my thoughts on this once the thread has a 'few' more replies

We need a short reply not thought of the day.

AGD · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:11

Couple is typically used when referring to 2 things, but the phrase "a couple" can mean the same thing as "a few".

Sp00n · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:13

A couple = 2
A few = 3 or more

Disco Boy · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:15

Couple means two, if you use it for more than two then you are a buffoon.

mrbios · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:17

A couple = 2

anyhting more than 2 and it's no longer a couple and you're bordering on an orgy.

TheCenturion · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:18

A couple means '2'. There's no other way about it.

Annoys me when someone asks me to get a 'couple' and I get 2 and then they get angry at me

krooton · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:55

If I want 2, I will say "two", if I want an undisclosed amount more than 2 and less than 5, I will say "a couple"