Why do most Americans insist on saying "I could care less"... the correct saying is "I could´nt care less"... if you COULD care less then you are implying that you care... therfore stomping all over the point that you´re trying to make.... think about it
2006-10-02 09:23:54 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Oh thanks! I didn't know that about Americans, so thanks to you I now have yet another reason to get aggravated by Americans and another peeve, as that is seriously annoying!
2006-10-02 09:33:22 · answer #1 · answered by As You Like It 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My friend, check your punctuation (that is my personal pet peeve)... :>)
I agree that this is quite a common habit. I also realise that yours is a rhetorical question (and therefore doesn't really require an answer), but allow me to throw this out there; as with most common expressions and colloquialisms, people learn the contexts in which they are used, and then apply them. Most people never ask themselves the meaning of these expressions, and therefore do not have these same revelations as ye, thinking person did.
Often these phrases are learned at a very early age, and children on the playground might not have the sentence analysation skills of a well-read adult. They pick up the phrase (incorrect or misunderstood) from friends and memorize it, and never think again about the meaning behind it, until someone corrects them. And that is where you come in ... one person at a time. But be gentle. ;>)
2006-10-02 09:35:48 · answer #2 · answered by Carma 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Isn't the couldn't implied rather than stated. The tone of voice would convey this, though in print it would look rather puzzling. So, I could care less, but not by very much. This is all hypothetical; I've tried it in my head. I'm English and can't recall coming across it.
2006-10-03 05:01:31 · answer #3 · answered by Silkie1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Americans...
2006-10-03 07:30:12 · answer #4 · answered by jupiter FIVE 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
True, true...one of my personal grammar pet peeves. If you say "could" care less, you've made no point at all.
(And I think it's funny that everyone jumped on you for not knowing how to use an apostrophe.)
2006-10-02 12:57:43 · answer #5 · answered by vicvic* 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your concerns are heard but spelling and incorrect use of an apostrophe in your question means that your point is almost void!!! Couldn't (apostrophe replaces the missing letter o), and therefore (with an e in the middle).
2006-10-02 09:41:22 · answer #6 · answered by missymouth1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, most of us that have brains know this. . . .
Why do you care about our 'english' or lack thereof?
And I'm sure if you spoke every language there is on this planet to speak. . . .americans would not be the only ones that tangle their native tounge(s). . .. now shove off
p.s. Stop drinking all of that hator-aide on that side of the pond and get your raggety bloddy rotten teeth fixed
2006-10-02 09:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by smurfee68 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shouldn't the apostrophe come between the N and the T. Well, I could care less because I do care about proper grammar. :p
2006-10-02 09:27:39 · answer #8 · answered by Gin Martini 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I see what you are saying, and agree, but it is couldn't care less not could'nt. The apostrophe in English denotes the missing letter.
The correct term is "could not", when shortened, you lose the "o", so this is replaced with apostrophe, hence couldn't.
I know this is pedantic, but if you are going to correct others, you need to get it right yourself - sorry.
2006-10-02 09:27:17 · answer #9 · answered by spiegy2000 6 · 10⤊ 1⤋
Is it because they couldn't care less about anything anyone else thinks???
The US is the centre of the universe...
...and to you Americans, that's sarcasm.
2006-10-02 09:35:35 · answer #10 · answered by Mr Glenn 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dang, this question has already been done and I still agree, although you got the apostraphe in the wrong place!
2006-10-02 09:33:09 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋