A few weeks ago, I asked on Instagram how people pronounce the word “coupon”. The results of the poll were so interesting:
For the record, I say “Q-pon”. I’m originally from Kansas and it seems like most people there say it that way. (At least the people I was around!)
However, when I started doing radio and magazine interviews, I noticed that it always seemed like the people in media said, “Coo-pon”. I started to wonder if I was the one who had always pronounced it incorrectly.
Come to find out, you can pronounce it either way and both are correct, at least according to Merriam-Webster.
By the way, I thought this pronunciation note on Dictionary.com was funny…
I guess I follow the American pronunciation and am an “educated speaker”. 😉
How do YOU pronounce coupon? Do you think it’s a regional thing or based on something else? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Beth says
Yeah, it’s Q-pon here in Wichita and if someone says koo-pon, you know they’re not from around here. My husband also says it’s kind of high-falutin’ to call our current nightly bug visitors fireflies, as they are apparently lightning bugs. Also, there’s a weird little quirk in Wichita about how you pronounce Greenwich, a street here in town. It’s an easy tell for out of towners.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, oh yes!! 🙂
Alli says
PA Gal…q-pon.
PA Gal’s husband (PA too)…coo-pon. HA!
Jordan says
Bwhahaha! That’s too funny that you both pronounce it differently! I know I say a lot of things like someone from the southeast but then occasionally something I learned from my mom (originally from the midwest) will slip in. Maybe that’s what going on? -Jordan, MSM Team
Erin says
Q-pon! I live in Nebraska and have only heard coo-pon on tv, never, ever in real life 🙂
Jordan says
Just wait until you here the rare “coo-pin” it will really throw you! -Jordan, MSM Team
Robin Y. says
Former French teacher here! In French, “couper” (rhymes with hooray) = to cut. Coupon means a clipped thing. So I have to go with Team Coo-pon!
Incidentally, I find the same either/or with “bouquet”. Originally intended to be pronounced “boo-quet” 🙂
Jordan says
That’s really interesting! Thanks for the etymology lesson. I always love learning new things! -Jordan, MSM Team
Melissa says
Coo-pon, and yes the Q sound makes me cringe. I grew up in IL.
Jordan says
Interesting! -Jordan, MSM Team
Melissa Muir says
Ohio gal here. My dad was a high school physics teacher and very educated. He always said coo-pon. I felt like it sounded so formal and fancy so I always said Q-pon, and still do! Most people in my circle say q-pon.
Jordan says
Interesting! -Jordan, MSM Team
Diane says
Growing up in NY, it was definitely Coo-pon for me, but having moved to the midwest, I now say “Q-pon” because that’s how most people around here seem to say it. I admit that when I started couponing about 15 years ago, I was confused by the abbreviation “Q” for coupon, because I hadn’t heard it said that way! But now it makes perfect sense.
Kimberly says
It’s “Coo-pon” for me, too (have lived in IN, KY mostly).
“Q-pon” makes my ears hurt.
Jordan says
Haha! -Jordan, MSM Team
Jordan says
That abbreviation would have thrown me too! -Jordan, MSM Team
RV says
Y’all need to read the book Speaking American by Josh Katz. He maps how we use different words for the same idea by region (like takeout vs. carry-out or skillet vs. frying pan or soda vs. pop vs. coke). There is also a section on how to pronounce different words by region (coupon, pecan, route, candidate, and more). It is the best coffee table book ever.
Jordan says
That sounds great! I’ll definitely look into that! -Jordan, MSM Team
Kimberly says
Sadly, I think we will lose some of those things because of influence from the internet. My children do not sound southern at all.
Christine says
I love this post! Team Q-pon! 🙂
Jordan says
🙂 -Jordan, MSM Team
Jamie says
I’ve always lived in Virginia and it seems to vary among people here, but I say coupon with a q sound. It’s funny how many people dislike hearing it said the opposite of their pronunciation. Same here!
Jordan says
Isn’t it interesting how we can get used to hearing and saying something one way? -Jordan, MSM Team
Lauri Everlove says
Grew up in CA and have always said q pon…
Jordan says
😀 -Jordan,MSM Team
Kimberly says
I pronounce it Q-pun and even my fellow Alabamians are like, “What did you just say?” I think it is just the way people from my small town pronounced it and it has always stuck with me. After all, I was a cashier at our local grocery store🙂
Elisabeth Alexis says
Here in Canada 🇨🇦 I say Q-pon 😆
Jordan says
Interesting! -Jordan, MSM Team
Julia says
I grew up in MD, lived in PA and IN, and have always pronounced it coo-pon.
Jordan says
Thanks for sharing! It’s interesting to see if it changes based on where someone has moved! -Jordan, MSM Team
Gina says
Ha ha! I’m sure this is a regional thing! My grandma always said “q-pon” but here in New England is usually “coo-pon.” I have to admit, I cringe a bit every time you say it with a Q. 😂😂
Jordan says
😀 -Jordan, MSM Team
Lisa says
Growing up in Michigan I said Q-pon, but now living in Arizona for the past 15 years, I made the switch to coo-pon. 😁🤷♀️
Jordan says
That’s really interesting that you have adjusted to the dialect in your new region! -Jordan, MSM Team
kim says
I pronounce it both ways, without paying attention to which one I’m using….but I think I grew up saying q-pon.
Jordan says
I say it both ways too! I’m not sure what makes me switch! -Jordan, MSM Team
Karen Lyons says
I pronounce it coo- pon! Interesting that I haven’t heard people call it Q- Pon.
Crystal Paine says
I’m guessing you haven’t watched my videos on Facebook or IG then! 😉
Donna says
Coo-pon. From Texas! Lol
Charity says
I catch myself pronouncing it both ways. I was born and live in TN, but my parents are from PA. So I have hints of northern accent in my southern drawl. It’s very wierd. Coo-pon is more northern. Q-pon is southern.