If you are discussing that little slip of paper you hand to the cashier to get 50 cents off your latest order of Super Heavy Duty Depends, Purina Grue Chow, or Mr. Happy’s Studded Surprise Condoms. I’ve always said it as Queue-pon, so it always bugs me when people say Coo-pon, like advertising announcers and such, even if strictly speaking from a phonics standpoint they are correct.
[And don’t get me started on primer vs. primmer-the latter just sounds so forced and gay-not meant as a jab at gay people]
There’s a show on TLC (I think?) called “Extreme Couponing.” The show’s narrator says “coo-pon” but most of the subjects so far (two people per episode) say “queue-pon.” It’s awkward!
Koopon, like ketchup, is a case where the “kiddie” pronunciation has gradually taken over. I don’t recall hearing very many adults say koopon - in person or in commercials - until the mid 80s or so.
“kew-pon.” I don’t know why I say it that way when everyone else around here pronounces it the “coo-pon.” I also can’t say “bagel” correctly 3/4 of the time (I usually pronounce it “bag-el.” I don’t know why, my brain is just weird.
So, it’s a military queue, then? I pronounce a coup as “koo” and so do the same with coupon.
Though by online dictionaries, both are considered correct. I don’t really care if someone pronounces it the other way. Weird. I’m picky to the point of peevy about a few words, but this isn’t one of them.
Well, if you’re going after the French pronounciation, the word coupon exists in French (probably is a French loanword to US English), meaning more or less the same thing. And it is said coo-pon.
P.S: do you think that will replace “crudité” as the ongoing “cause celebre”?
