Counting coup was a battle practice of Native Americans of the
Great Plains. A nonviolent demonstration of bravery, it consisted
of touching an enemy warrior, with the hand or with a coup stick,
then running away unharmed. Risk of injury or death was involved,
should the other warrior respond violently. The phrase "counting
coup" can also refer to the recounting of stories about battle
exploits. It can also involve stealing items from the enemy. The
term is of French origin from the verb couper, which means
literally to cut, hit or strike. The expression can be seen as
referring to "counting strikes". Coups were recorded by notches in
the coup stick, or by feathers in the headdress of a warrior who
was rewarded with feathers for an act of bravery. Counting coup was
referred to in the Star Trek: The Next Generation first season
episode, "Code of Honor".