4 ms·
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
by lysp 3y ago
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.
- placesalt 3y agoSame here, in Canada; it's a metaphorical use, by my reading, similar to '<blank> will only take a second'
- nenaoki 3y agoRight, to me "couple" means two except when vaguely gesturing some small number.
- elyobo 3y agoKiwi 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.
- wizofaus 3y agoI'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.