I could / couldn't care less... which do you say?

Question

The origin is that your caring is at zero, and so its impossible to care any less... "I couldn't care less!"

But I often hear Americans say "I could care less!", which suggests that they DO care to some degree.

Has the meaning totally reversed in American English or is this just a frequently made mistake?

Answer 1

"Couldn't"is correct. "Could" is just a lazy shortening, that has become common, I think, and some people really think that's the correct wording. In Australia, for example, "didn't" is often said like "di'n". Same sort of lazy pronunciation here, but happens to end up with the opposite, and technically nonsensical meaning....but most people still get the gist.:)

Answer 2

I couldn't care less. This is correct.
I could care less sounds as if though I wasted my time caring so much.
What ever the case may be British english has brighter grammar.

Answer 3

To say "I *could* care less" would imply that you could possibly care less, which means you must care at least a little bit.

To say "I *couldn't* care less" would mean that there is no possible way you could care any less, which means you don't care at all.

Answer 4

i think i couldnt care less best explains it if u dont even care at all. but when u say i could care less, it means u still care but to a very low and lesser extent. get the picture!

Answer 5

Is this of major concern to you? I could care more! but I choose to care less so therefore I couldn't care less or is that more?

Answer 6

I couldn't care less x

Answer 7

I say I couldn't care less.

Answer 8

I couldn't care less!

Answer 9

Don't believe any body who suspects US Americans of being sarcastic. 90% are totally innocent.
And it's of, course, "couldn't care less"

Answer 10

Americanisms, how annoying! The English language should not be taken and changed into something it is not!