rationing

     During World War II, people needed ration coupons to buy certain items. To ration something means to divide it into portions for each person or for each day. People needed ration coupons to buy sugar, for example-- each person was only allowed so much sugar. The shopper had to hand over the ration coupon to buy the sugar--in addition to paying for it. No ration coupon, no sugar. Rationing was an attempt to be fair, as supplies were limited. Gasoline was also rationed, but the ration coupons were only for people who needed the gasoline. Goods that were rationed could be purchased on the "black market"--the smuggler's market--but many people stuck with the rationing scheme, even though they knew how to cheat. They thought cheating was unpatriotic, and didn't want us to lose the war for the sugar in their coffee.