coupon

The word "coupon" entered English from French in the 19th century. Its French source, coupon, literally meant "a piece cut off," derived from the verb couper meaning "to cut." This verb itself evolved from the Old French colp or coup, signifying a blow or a cut, which traces back to the Latin colaphus (a blow) and ultimately the Greek kólaphos. The semantic logic is clear: a coupon is literally a small piece of paper that is cut or detached from a larger sheet, such as a ticket or bond, entitling the holder to a specific right or value. This concrete notion of a detachable slip evolved into the modern abstract meaning of a voucher for a discount or free item.

Structure: coup (to cut) + on (noun suffix) - coup: From French, from Old French colp, coup (a blow, a cut), from Latin colaphus (a blow with the fist), from Greek kólaphos (a blow, slap). - on: A common noun suffix in French, often used to form nouns from verbs or other nouns, indicating an object or result of an action.