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What does "a couple of X" mean to you?

I use "a couple of" interchangeably with "a few of" and so forth. Could mean anywhere between 2 and 10.

But! I know some people who absolutely [i]insist[/i] that a "couple of" something [i]must[/i] mean exactly 2 of it. So which one are you?
CountScrofula · 41-45, M Best Comment
A couple is two. A few is 3-4. Any more after that is several. We upgrade to many north of 10.
Starcrossed · 41-45, F
^this

FaeLuna · 31-35, F
So I get that a couple will mean two when referring to people; that makes sense. However, I just have a hard time associating it with exactly two objects. Let's say you're out with friends, and someone suggests you should all go out for a couple of drinks. Do you always interpret that as going for exactly two drinks? To me, that number is flexible.
AliceTinker · 51-55, F
A couple means two. But I also use it to mean a few, maybe more than two. Just to annoy others really
EmeraldOdinelle · 22-25, F
It’s actually between 2 -5 not 10
FaeLuna · 31-35, F
@EmeraldOdinelle Yeah, I think that's actually closer to what I use it for, I don't know why I said 10.
Same as you... More than one less than a bunch.
TheCoolestCat · 31-35, M
a couple of X means you is taking a few ecstasy pills
Tracos · 51-55, M
Typically less then 10
SW-User
AlmostAnAngel · 100+, F
A couple is 2
A few is 3
More is 4 and beyond...that's what I was taught.
FaeLuna · 31-35, F
@AlmostAnAngel See, what I don't get is why a few means 3. Who made this decision, and why is it easier than just saying three?
AlmostAnAngel · 100+, F
@FaeLuna that I couldn't tell you..lol
SunnyBii · 22-25, F
A couple is 2, like how they say 2 people make a great couple, but "a few" is more open. Maybe like 3-5?
DragonFruit · 61-69, M
I was taught that "a couple” means 2, and that “a few” means more than 2 but not that many.
KarateAaron · 46-50, M
For me, "a couple of" means 2, and a "few of" something means anywhere from 3 to 5.
SW-User
A couple is defined as two when referring to people, like “a married couple”. So I tended to go by that. But [b]informally[/b] I understand people have come to use it interchangeably with “a few”.

 
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