Pronunciation: [kˈuːp] (IPA) 
The word "coup" is pronounced as /kuːp/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). This word is often misspelled as "coo" or "koop", but the correct spelling is "coup". The silent "p" at the end of the word signifies the French origin of the word, which means a sudden, violent overthrow of a government or ruler. The correct spelling of this word is important to ensure effective communication and accurate representation in written texts.
Coup, noun: 1. A sudden, often violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government or ruling authority, typically carried out by a small group of individuals within the existing political establishment. 2. A successful and strategic maneuver or action that achieves a significant or unexpected result, especially in a competitive context.
In its political sense, a coup refers to the overthrow or removal of a sitting government or leader, often by force or through unconstitutional means. This can involve military intervention, such as a military coup, where the armed forces seize power, dissolve the existing government, and establish a new regime. Coups can also occur through political maneuvers, such as the manipulation of elections, unconstitutional changes to the legal framework, or through the overt coercion of authorities.
The term coup is derived from the French word "coup d'état," which translates to "blow of state." It signifies a swift and forceful strike against the current ruling order, where power is concentrated within a small group of individuals seeking to take control. Coups are often accompanied by suspension of civil liberties, human rights abuses, and disruption of democratic processes.
Beyond its political connotation, coup can also describe a remarkable or skillful action that leads to unexpected success. In this context, it is commonly used in sports, business, and other competitive fields. It denotes an advantageous move or maneuver that turns the tide of a situation, leading to a positive or victorious outcome.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "coup" originated from the French term "coup d'état", which translates to "stroke of state" or "blow against the state". The term was first used in the 17th century to refer to a sudden, illegal, and often violent seizure or overthrow of a government. The etymology of "coup" can be traced back to the verb "coup", meaning "to strike" or "to hit". Over time, the term became widely adopted in English and other languages to describe a similar type of political overthrow or sudden change of power.
