POLL: omg settle a debate - how many is "a couple" to you?

[noodleskooze]

A "couple" is two. Sorry

ETA: but when we're talking food, more is always better. So you were still in the right overall.

[pinotgrig]

Couple = 2
A few = 3 to 5

[fayeelle]

Couple is 2-3, few is 3-4.

Sent from my VS980 4G using proboards

[yellowbrkrd]

Sorry, I'm with your husband.

Couple = two
Few = 3-5

[curbsideprophet]

A couple is two.

[sent]

Team you, but over the years it is apparent to me that other people insist "a couple of random things" means a firm 2. That bothers me so I just don't use the word that much anymore.

[scribellesam]

Sorry, you bought a few. No worries though, more crab for all! Yummy.

[whiskeyandwine]

Eh, generally "a couple" = 2, but if he wanted such a SPECIFIC NUMBER he should have said two.

If I asked for a couple brownies and your brought me 5 I wouldn't complain.

[namasteak]

A couple 2-3
A few 3-5

[havarti]

Doesn't the pregnant lady always win arguments about food?

[nsl]

More to the point: why is he complaining that he has more crab to eat?

[namasteak]

Related story: crab legs were more expensive at Costco than WF and I was pretty bummed about it.

[Queen Mamadala]

Aug 8, 2015 18:24:16 GMT -5 namasteak said:

A couple 2-3
A few 3-5

*nods*

[Zoly]

I remember from my senior English class that a couple means more than two. But it seems like to everyone else it actually means 2 so I generally stick to that.

[ECB]

do you mean literally 2 CRABS or 2 dozen? If you mean 2 crabs, then I'm with you. "A couple" would mean a few to me. If you were talking by the dozen, a couple would mean 2. Does that make sense? It would seem odd to really just buy 2 crabs.

[nsl]

Aug 8, 2015 18:56:59 GMT -5 Zoly said:

I remember from my senior English class that a couple means more than two. But it seems like to everyone else it actually means 2 so I generally stick to that.

English teacher chiming in to say that this is not a thing.

[ECB]

And to be clear, I voted for you.  I feel that in general "a couple" means "a few". 

[brooklyn]

Three. Definitely more than 2.

And who complains about getting more crab than they expected?

[teatimefor2]

I would go with two as well. Sorry.

[pippa]

Definitely means 2. But knowing what kind of crab makes a difference.

Dungeness crabs would be okay at one per person. A couple blue crabs for dinner? No way.

[bowies]

Couple always means two.

I'll eat your extra crabs.

[sent]

Aug 8, 2015 18:25:17 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Aug 8, 2015 18:20:56 GMT -5 sent said:

Team you, but over the years it is apparent to me that other people insist "a couple of random things" means a firm 2. That bothers me so I just don't use the word that much anymore.

I think we are right.

Right?  I mean if you wanted just 2 crabs, why not specify 2?  

[hermione]

Aug 8, 2015 18:24:16 GMT -5 namasteak said:

A couple 2-3
A few 3-5

This.

[shamrockshake]

A couple means two to me, but I'd never just buy two crabs so I can see why you bought more. 2 crabs seems silly

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 8, 2015 19:07:18 GMT -5 sent said:

Aug 8, 2015 18:25:17 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

I think we are right.

Right?  I mean if you wanted just 2 crabs, why not specify 2?  

He probably thought he did that by saying a couple. If 4 cost $98 dollars I don't think buying just two seems odd.

[h]

A couple generally means two people or things, although I know if can mean a non-specific small number in certain contexts. That said, I typically use it to mean two, and if I told DH to get a couple gallons of milk or bags of chips or chickens of whatever, I would be annoyed if he came home with four.

In this context, I think the size of the crabs and the number of people consuming them makes the difference. Who is eating the crabs? If they are just for you and your H, I would have gone with two crabs given the size and price--11 pounds/$100 worth of crab seems like more than is necessary for two people. If you are having people over and feeding four adults, then I absolutely would have purchased four crabs.

[cjeanette]

A couple is two.

Like "we are a married couple" refers to two people. One hopes.

[ECB]

Aug 8, 2015 19:48:36 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Aug 8, 2015 19:38:03 GMT -5 h said:

In this context, I think the size of the crabs and the number of people consuming them makes the difference. Who is eating the crabs? If they are just for you and your H, I would have gone with two crabs given the size and price--11 pounds/$100 worth of crab seems like more than is necessary for two people. If you are having people over and feeding four adults, then I absolutely would have purchased four crabs.

8 adults and we have some ribeye steaks and other stuff, so even given that I think 2 would've been too little!

8 people?! 2 crabs?! Ok even more team you!!! I'd never buy just TWO crabs if 8 people were over. Fil brought 2 DOZEN crabs over tonight (albeit medium males, so kind of small) for basically 3 people to share.

[zarapipe]

I would also get four. It he meant two he should have said Two. A couple is more than two.

I didn't realize I was in the minority.

[Deleted]

Team H. Couple means 2.