How severe should the punishment be...?

Question

for uttering and/or writing, "I could care less." when the speaker/writer means the opposite, "I couldn't care less."? (And puh-lease - don't let more than one answer be..."I couldn't care less."

Answer 1

Oh, I don't know how severe the punishment should be, although it bothers me to hear it too. Maybe a really hard stare, or one of those sounds you make when you think someone is being stupid, like Huhhhhh!! or CHhhhhhhhh, or something like that. It's hard to spell out sounds.
My other "favorite" is when someone says, "It ceases to amaze me."

Answer 2

If it is uttered sarcastically, than it is technically correct. I could care less**implied, but I don't.** It is also a manner of dialect. Generally, people do not utter phrases in correct English, they only write that way. Hence, your Puh-lease, would be a manner of dialect and not a correct term. No punishment at all is necessary.

Answer 3

"Irregardless" of the speaker's/writer's intent, the punishment should be to keep asking clariying questions about the speaker's level of care. Hmm... could you care less than a doctor? Could you care less than a merchanic? Could you care less than I do? Because I couldn't care less.

Answer 4

None whatsover, but only if the person is clever. When called on their misstatement, they should answer "No, I spoke correctly. I *could* care less, but I don't care enough about the subject to expend the effort."

Answer 5

Careful careless

Answer 6

Is that the same person who is uttering irrregardless?

Answer 7

39 lashes

Answer 8

5% of the total grade.

Answer 9

depends na, whether its just some dumb thing among frnds or something serious.. watever, i cant imagine any punishment for casual sarcasm ,

Answer 10

I am apathetic about the whole question.