Couples

[stoutfellow]

I was just reading an interesting discussion at Language Hat - interesting and, to me, surprising.

To me, "a couple of" means two and only two; if more is intended, I go up through the "a few / several / many" hierarchy. But most of the respondents to the LH post use a looser interpretation, allowing as many as five.

So, I'm puzzled. What say ye?

Comments

[graydon]

I've been known to use "a couple-three" up to about "a couple-six" for cases where I'm not sure I've got the correct cardinality.

I agree that without modifier, "a couple" is precisely two, and an integer two at that: Something that's off by 2cm plus or minus a significant quantity is "off by a bit", rather than "off by a couple of centimeters".

[al_zorra]

A couple is two. 2. Duet. Two.

[ndrosen]

I think "a couple" can be used loosely for a small number greater than two.