Just in case you were wondering where the word coupon came from, I did a little research and found out a few things.  First, this word developed from the Latin word colpus which is derived from colaphus meaning "a blow with the fist."  Then colaphus became the word colp or in modern French, the word coup.  The definition of coup is a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move; a clever action or accomplishment.  Coup is used in a familiar phrase coup d'état and the derivative couper "to divide with a blow or stroke, to cut" which then yielded our favorite word ---- Coupon. 

 

Coupon then came to refer to "a portion that is cut off" and is first recorded in English in 1822.  The word coupon came to apply to forms or detachable tickets that could be exchanged for various benefits.  Back then this referred to a certificate that was detachable from a principle certificate which could be exchanged for interest or dividend payments by the holder of the principal certificate.

 

However, coupons as we know them today are issued by manufacturers of consumer packaged goods or by retailers and are used as sales promotions.  Billions are widely distributed through the mail, magazines, newspapers, Internet, and mobile devices.  So, for those of us who need or want to cut costs, with a stroke over the scanner at checkout, coupons are very effective in delivering a blow to the bill which is a very clever accomplishment!

 

References:

thefreedisctionary.com

niemanlab.org