How do YOU define a "few"?

My wife insisted I post this: How many of something do you define as a “few”? Example: I’m going to get a “few” Fig Newtons. I usually grab 3-5. I almost always take an odd number, but my wife insists it should be an even number.

Whaddya think?

…and, no, I’m not henpecked. Am I, dear?

It all depends.

A few bottles of beer on a lazy afternoon, or a few bone-crushing punches to the nose?


Uke

i’ve never thought of a ‘few’ as an even number of whatevers. when i was little, a couple was two, and three was a few.

i’m not saying that three IS a few, just that it’s at least a few… :slight_smile:


“If anybody wants a sheep, that is proof that he exists.”

I think that2 is a couple and anything that is 3 or more is a few…until you get to alot, but that poses the question ‘how many is alot?’ :confused:


Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.

I think depending on what it is, anywhere from 3-7 or so would be a “few”



“it’s all real”
“I KNEW IT!!!”
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com

Seven or more is clearly equal to several. A couple is two, and a few is anywhere in between.

If we’re talking specifically cookies - or fruit and cake - here, I’d say a few is 3 to 4 and 5 is a handful.


There is only one difference between a madman and me. I am not a man.

Ah, metric vs imperial vs real life measurements. “Few” is usefully subjective. If we’re talking bar rounds, Girl Scout cookies or past sexual escapades, “few” equals 2 to 5, depending on the adjudicating panel.

“Few” in terms of work perks, benefits, etc. translates to 0 to .5.

See also: titch, smidgen, pinch, dash, etc.

Bottom line: “few” is as many as you wanna make it.

Veb

Let me lay it out for you.

2: couple
3: few
4: some
5 or more: many
7: several

Eight. Definitely eight.

And with no less authority than St. Peter himself.

This is from memory but it’s something like: “When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, wherein few, that is eight, were saved by water.” The reference is 1 Peter 3:20, I think. Somewhere near there anyway.

Q.E.D.


If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

3 or more, but less than 12.

“Thou shalt count to three, and three shalt be the number of thy counting;
five is right out!” :slight_smile:


VB

Changing my Sigline again 'cause Vebs’tummy is all better now!

0: none
1: one
2: couple
3-6: few
7-12: several
13+: manny

Wrong thinking is punished, right thinking is just as swiftly rewarded. You’ll find it an effective combination.

No, no, no!
<------- That number to the left is a ‘few.’
At least that’s what I tell people, “I’ve posted a few times.”


Here’s mud in yer eye!
Yer pal, UncleBeer.