Re: authority:
the dictionary?
http://dictionary.reference…
Your etymology may be completely correct, but in modern English, a couple means two, plain and simple.

The dictionary?
http://dictionary.reference…
I understand your feelings about the etymology, but the reality is that the modern definition means 2. 
I thought the American educational system line was funny, too, and I was grateful that it was easy to follow, because it meant that my husband followed the French dialogue.

Wow. This episode was almost as dark as the night that Marshall's dad died…(Yup, I still tear up). A. Hannigan KILLED that scene, and as a new Mom, I can definitely relate. However, the writers have really written themselves into the pit, haven't they? I mean, no matter how awesome the Mother is, Ted has been in love…

I actually do think the running order is key to this show gaining a following. It is just too hard to follow the character's emotional arcs, which are surprisingly serialized, without it.

:)

I agree that it's completely unrealistic— except that the show certainly seems to be telling me that it's the case. Which is why I still think Alicia has unfair power in their relationship. And Peter has stated several times that he is in love with his wife and wants their marriage to work out, so… it just makes me…

I think it might actually have been the Golden Globes. Was that ABC's reasoning for showing it last night? Good grief, that's lame.

Yes, Luthor was onscreen for about fifteen seconds, and yet it was all STILL gold. 
"I took my mother to (crap, forgot which awards show)…keep 'em guessing. (sly wink)"

Oh actually, one more observation:
Alicia needs to stop using Peter as a human vibrator. Their conversation in the bus proves that she is providing Peter false hope that their relationship is repairing itself, and it just bugs me. I want to like Alicia, but I think she has an uncomfortable history of using men who are…

A few things:
1. I was incredibly proud of myself for coming up with the pregnancy thing. I knew from a friend who swam in the Olympics in '96 that many women can't take their birth control if they want to pass doping tests…and nine months after '96, she was a proud Mama! So I came up with that problem even before…