A couple questions

[spot]

The contraction "a couple things" for "a couple of things" seems to date back as far as the late nineteenth century in America. I don't believe it exists at all in British English.

It looks as though the contraction is treating couple as an adjective. Normally it is a noun.

The sole exception is, eg. " a couple more spoonfuls, vicar?" or "a couple fewer next time if I may". Couple with more or less or fewer is also treated as an adjective, and examples start in the 1930s.

So, questions for Americans. Would it be peculiar to hear an American use "of" after "couple"? As in eg. "I'll have a couple of sausages with my waffles this morning please"? Is it a regional usage in different States?

Would it be normal to use the word "two" instead of "a couple"? eg. "Throw two logs on the fire" instead of "Throw a couple logs on the fire"? Is there any difference in meaning? Can "a couple logs" ever be different to "two logs"?

Is it specific to "couple"? Could you throw a bunch tulips into a vase, or put on a pair shoes? Is the "of" invariably present but just unvoiced? Can every collective noun be used as an adjective?

[LarsMac]

The wife and I were have a similar conversation recently.

I've generally consider "a couple" to be "More than one, usually two, but maybe more" This bothers her, as "A Couple" to her means exactly two. In which case, I would simply say "two"
My use seems to be an annoyance to her, and she's taken to correcting me at every opportunity.

A couple things about that - I've never used that, and most of the time, I hear "A couple of things", possibly, "A coupl' a things" now and then. I don't think "A couple things" is really all that common. Perhaps in the North Eastern region it might get some usage, or maybe in city locales, but not much in the country that I've noticed.

[spot]

That's interesting, I'm glad I asked. Do bring these to her attention and I'll have backing. A couple is invariably just two. Any more is "several".

Here's some recent examples I saw just in the Washington Post.

3 days ago: "A couple moments before, he named 17 Republicans who supported his impeachment" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... ach-other/

5 days ago - "the big Evan Peters/Quicksilver cameo from a couple weeks back is another Agatha trick" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-ent ... ode-eight/

"Smiled suspiciously wide and teared up opening a couple presents and everyone hugged him. Maybe they are filming a commercial?" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... ationship/

"Around him were a couple hundred shoppers, some with only credit cards" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyl ... ost-power/

"I have a couple dozen mutual Facebook friends" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/postever ... d-victims/

"the mercury in spots falling by as much as 50 degrees over the course of a couple days" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/ ... exas-cold/

And all over my Kindle in recent American novels, none of which I will admit to reeding. Perhaps some editors have a house style.

[LarsMac]

That's interesting, I'm glad I asked. Do bring these to her attention and I'll have backing. A couple is invariably just two. Any more is "several".

Here's some recent examples I saw just in the Washington Post.

3 days ago: "A couple moments before, he named 17 Republicans who supported his impeachment" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... ach-other/

5 days ago - "the big Evan Peters/Quicksilver cameo from a couple weeks back is another Agatha trick" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-ent ... ode-eight/

"Smiled suspiciously wide and teared up opening a couple presents and everyone hugged him. Maybe they are filming a commercial?" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... ationship/

"Around him were a couple hundred shoppers, some with only credit cards" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyl ... ost-power/

"I have a couple dozen mutual Facebook friends" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/postever ... d-victims/

"the mercury in spots falling by as much as 50 degrees over the course of a couple days" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/ ... exas-cold/

And all over my Kindle in recent American novels, none of which I will admit to reeding. Perhaps some editors have a house style.

Well, most of those could be attributed simply to the dreadful lack of real education in the field of Journalism, these days.

And, speaking for myself, I believe that "A Few" would have been the more appropriate word in most of those examples.

[magentaflame]

that's funny I wondered where your english went when I read that.

[magentaflame]

That's interesting, I'm glad I asked. Do bring these to her attention and I'll have backing. A couple is invariably just two. Any more is "several".

Here's some recent examples I saw just in the Washington Post.

3 days ago: "A couple moments before, he named 17 Republicans who supported his impeachment" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... ach-other/

5 days ago - "the big Evan Peters/Quicksilver cameo from a couple weeks back is another Agatha trick" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-ent ... ode-eight/

"Smiled suspiciously wide and teared up opening a couple presents and everyone hugged him. Maybe they are filming a commercial?" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... ationship/

"Around him were a couple hundred shoppers, some with only credit cards" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyl ... ost-power/

"I have a couple dozen mutual Facebook friends" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/postever ... d-victims/

"the mercury in spots falling by as much as 50 degrees over the course of a couple days" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/ ... exas-cold/

And all over my Kindle in recent American novels, none of which I will admit to reeding. Perhaps some editors have a house style.

Interesting . I've always thought of "couple" as two. But somehow a coupling. So two but similar. only one can be similar to the other. ie . I have a couple of "them". Otherwise I have an array of things.

shrugs

[spot]

Otherwise I have an array of things.

You've been on a programming course.

[magentaflame]

Otherwise I have an array of things.

You've been on a programming course.

Umm? nope that went over my head

[spot]

Otherwise I have an array of things.

You've been on a programming course.

Umm? nope that went over my head

https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-are-arrays

[magentaflame]

Otherwise I have an array of things.

You've been on a programming course.

Umm? nope that went over my head

https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-are-arrays

noun
1.
an impressive display or range of a particular type of thing.
"there is a vast array of literature on the topic" <-------------------------that one
2.
an ordered series or arrangement.
"several arrays of solar panels will help provide power"
Similar:
arrangement
assembling
assemblage
line-up
formation
ordering
disposition
marshalling
muster
amassing
show
display
exhibition
presentation
exposition
spectacle
agglomeration
collection
aggregation
raft
range
variety
assortment
diversity
mixture
selection
verb
1.
display or arrange (things) in a particular way.
"the manifesto immediately divided the forces arrayed against him"
Similar:
arrange
assemble
draw up
group
order
range
place
position
set out
set forth
dispose
marshal
muster
lay out
display
exhibit
put on show
put on display
put on view
expose to view
unveil
present
uncover
reveal
2.
dress someone in (the clothes specified).
"they were arrayed in Hungarian national dress"
Similar:
dress
attire
clothe
robe
garb
deck
deck out

[spot]

Those who told me at school that I lacked the capacity for humour or wit clearly knew what they were talking about.

[magentaflame]

Those who told me at school that I lacked the capacity for humour or wit clearly knew what they were talking about.

Don't worry I laughed.

This forum needs a zoom room. And a book thread/forum

[Hope6]

Around here a couple of things means exactly two.