'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive Guide

Re:'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive G... by lysp on Sunday October 01, 2023 @01:06AM (#37722771)

As an aussie, it can mean both for me.

eg. i just need to you to grab a couple of things from supermarket for me.

The number of items is small, not not always two.

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Re:'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive G... by placesalt on Sunday October 01, 2023 @01:34AM (#37722946)

Same here, in Canada; it's a metaphorical use, by my reading, similar to '<blank> will only take a second'

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Re:'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive G... by nenaoki on Sunday October 01, 2023 @05:40AM (#37724307)

[delayed]

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Re:'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive G... by elyobo on Sunday October 01, 2023 @01:59AM (#37723103)

Kiwi here, would never ever do that, I'd just say "a few". Amongst those few things there might be "a couple of apples" which would definitely mean exactly two, no more, no less.

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Re:'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive G... by wizofaus on Sunday October 01, 2023 @12:30PM (#37727608)

I'd allow that "a couple of things" could mean 3, even 4 at a stretch - you're downplaying the size of the task to make it sound like your request isn't unreasonable. But a couple of some specific item (can of coke, etc.) means 2 - if they brought back 3 I'd ask them what's the 3rd one for.

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