coupon English · revision 15301

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1822}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkuːˌpɑn/, /ˈkjuːˌpɑn/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|coupon|t=piece cut off]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) from [[m|fr|couper|t=to cut]], from [[m|fr|coup|t=a blow]] (see [[coup]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) which goes back through [[la-lat|colpus]] to [[la|colaphus|t=a blow with the fist]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A certificate of interest due on a bond, cut off and presented for payment: 1822 in Barnhart, the OED, Etymonline and Merriam-Webster.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense of a ticket giving the holder certain rights, as to a journey or a discount, was introduced by the travel agent Thomas Cook in 1864.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) A coupon in an advertisement, entitling the holder to a discount or gift, is from 1906,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) an entry form for the football pools from 1909,^(OED 1989) and a ration coupon from 1918.^(OED 1989) In the same year a coupon was a party leader's endorsement of a parliamentary candidate.^(OED 1989) Coupon-clipper, an American term for a person living on investment income, is from 1860.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1822 – a bond coupon.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – a travel coupon (Thomas Cook).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1906 – an advertising coupon.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1918 – a ration coupon.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A voucher or detachable part of an advertisement entitling the holder to a [[discount]] or gift.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A form to be filled in and sent off, as an order or entry form.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(finance)'' A certificate attached to a [[bond]] that is detached to claim [[interest]]; the rate of interest paid.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # One of a set of tickets for rationed goods.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[couponless]]

+ * [[couponer]]

+ * [[couponing]]

+ * [[coupon bond]]

+ * [[zero coupon]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[coup]]

+ * [[cope]]

+ * [[voucher]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}