A couple things?

Factual Questions
1

Shouldn’t it be a couple *of *things? Why does Cecil say “a couple” instead of “a couple of”? Isn’t he spoiling the language skills of the teeming millions? :dubious:

Usage note from American Heritage Dictionary (answers.com)
*
The of in the phrase a couple of is often dropped in speech, but this omission is usually considered a mistake, especially in formal contexts. Three-fourths of the Usage Panel finds the sentence I read a couple books over vacation to be unacceptable; however, another 20% of the Panel finds the sentence to be acceptable in informal speech and writing.*

2

I dislike it but then again, I could care less.

3

I could care more, but I don’t. There are levels of informality and Cecil typically chooses a middle ground. He often uses colloquialisms facetiously. He’s more concerned with the content, and keeping the column interesting.

4

True. A nitpicker like me needn’t bother him, eh? :wink: