cúpla = 2, 3, 4, 5?

Saoirse · **Posted:** Wed 06 Mar 2013 6:58 pm

Maidir leis an bhfocal 'cúpla', in common usage can it mean more than two? I know it means 'a couple' as in two, but can it also mean 'a few'. Can I say, 'cúpla pointe' and go on to make four or five points?

Bríd Mhór · **Joined:** Sun 28 Aug 2011 8:29 pm **Posts:** 3001

Saoirse wrote:

Maidir leis an bhfocal 'cúpla', in common usage can it mean more than two? I know it means 'a couple' as in two, but can it also mean 'a few'. Can I say, 'cúpla pointe' and go on to make four or five points?

Yes it can mean "few" as well... especially when referring to pints :LOL:

(In Conamara we pronounce it without the fada)

An Lon Dubh · **Joined:** Fri 30 Sep 2011 10:08 pm **Posts:** 1313

On a related note, in Munster, leath can actually mean fractions other than 1/2.
trí leath a dhéanamh de = To make three thirds of it = to cut it up into three.

Saoirse · **Posted:** Wed 06 Mar 2013 7:42 pm

An Lon Dubh wrote:

On a related note, in Munster, leath can actually mean fractions other than 1/2.
trí leath a dhéanamh de = To make three thirds of it = to cut it up into three.

I have heard of people looking for the 'big half', but cutting something into three halves takes the biscuit or cake or whatever it is!

Redwolf · **Posted:** Wed 06 Mar 2013 7:49 pm

An Lon Dubh wrote:

On a related note, in Munster, leath can actually mean fractions other than 1/2.
trí leath a dhéanamh de = To make three thirds of it = to cut it up into three.

Some vindication for those people out there who say things like "I'm half Irish, half English, half German, and half Cherokee." :LOL:

Redwolf

An Lon Dubh · **Joined:** Fri 30 Sep 2011 10:08 pm **Posts:** 1313

Saoirse wrote:

:cry: I have heard of people looking for the 'big half', but cutting something into three halves takes the biscuit or cake or whatever it is!

I think it's because it "really" or originally means a side. Still used in that meaning in phrases like:
i leith do láimhe deise = to your right

That's the explanation or eight sevenths of it at any rate.

Quote:

Some vindication for those people out there who say things like "I'm half Irish, half English, half German, and half Cherokee." :LOL:

Redwolf

Mick · **Joined:** Fri 18 Nov 2011 2:27 pm **Posts:** 622

Bríd Mhór wrote:

Saoirse wrote:

Maidir leis an bhfocal 'cúpla', in common usage can it mean more than two? I know it means 'a couple' as in two, but can it also mean 'a few'. Can I say, 'cúpla pointe' and go on to make four or five points?

Yes it can mean "few" as well... especially when referring to pints :LOL:

(In Conamara we pronounce it without the fada)

In my experience, "pionta amháin" also means four or five pints in most cases :guiness:

franc 91 · **Posted:** Wed 06 Mar 2013 8:34 pm

Aon seans ar phionta eile? (dála an scéil Cúpla Focal - the bookshop in Bray has closed I'm sad to say)
- I thought there was a slight nuance between cupla and cúpla, but not chez Bríd Mhór apparently.

Gumbi · **Joined:** Tue 06 Sep 2011 8:09 pm **Posts:** 943

Redwolf wrote:

An Lon Dubh wrote:

On a related note, in Munster, leath can actually mean fractions other than 1/2.
trí leath a dhéanamh de = To make three thirds of it = to cut it up into three.

Some vindication for those people out there who say things like "I'm half Irish, half English, half German, and half Cherokee." :LOL:

Redwolf

Very good!

Rossaí · **Joined:** Sat 01 Oct 2011 12:03 am **Posts:** 231

Pint although a singular word is a plural concept.

Cúpla deoch, in my experience has nearly never meant two drinks.

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