Ron - You're talking about two separate things here - (1) a [can't remember the word] of speech and (2) a number.
1) "A couple of things" is an introductory phrase, usually a somewhat argumentative one, followed by any number of items or points the speaker wishes to bring up as a counterpoint to what you said, or to debate your points or statement. One may as well say "Hold on there, Sparky" instead of "A couple of things..."
2) "A couple of things" is a response to: "How many things do you want to put in my satchel?" It means: two.
[sorry about the hole in my memory. my brain is shot tonight.]
Well, i should have probably picked a more generic term, or a metasyntactic device. I didn't mean "a couple of things" specifically, but "a couple of [noun]s".
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syntheid
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Date: 2006-08-06 05:46 am (UTC)1) "A couple of things" is an introductory phrase, usually a somewhat argumentative one, followed by any number of items or points the speaker wishes to bring up as a counterpoint to what you said, or to debate your points or statement. One may as well say "Hold on there, Sparky" instead of "A couple of things..."
2) "A couple of things" is a response to: "How many things do you want to put in my satchel?" It means: two.
[sorry about the hole in my memory. my brain is shot tonight.]
no subject
Date: 2006-08-06 05:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-06 06:49 am (UTC)Well pffffftttt.
Date: 2006-08-07 02:19 am (UTC)Do-over!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-07 04:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-07 12:12 pm (UTC)