The really mean "I couldn't care less", my personal theory is these are the same people that are too stupid to pronounce ask properly so how can we expect them understand the difference between could and couldn't.
2007-03-21 10:21:52 · 10 answers · asked by STFU 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I have a theory about this one. It's possible that the expression's roots are in saying it as a question: "Do you think I could care less?", which eventually could have been shortened to "I could care less?", and finally the last shortcut was to eliminate the voice going up at the end and simply pronouncing it as a statement.
2007-03-21 10:42:39 · answer #1 · answered by vinny_the_hack 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you, it doesn't really make sense.
However, some people who do that, or most that have heard it from others, are doing it sarcastically.
After all, we all say things sarcastically every once in a while, so when someone says "blah blah blah *insert random text here*" and the other person says "I could care less" they really MEAN i couldn't care less, but their "i could care less" is most often expressed in a sarcastic way. But for the people that do it because they have no idea between could and couldn't, I agree with you.
2007-03-21 17:32:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's always bothered me too. They just don't realize what they are saying and I think it's just one of those things that were once misheard and now they are both considered acceptable since we all understand the meaning behind it. When you say the two sentences really fast, they sound similar so I understand why some people may have misheard it as a child and never bothered to correct themselves or think about how it doesn't quite make sense.
Double negatives are understood and used constantly as well. Those bother me too but people accept them since they understand the point.
2007-03-21 17:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by Pico 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is just a case of people saying it fast and then over time people changed it to "I could care less." I have definitely noticed this too.
This kind of reminds me of people that say 360 degrees when they are talking about reversing their position on something. If you did a 360, then you would go around in a circle and be right back where you started.
2007-03-21 17:27:44 · answer #4 · answered by Steve A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I could care less means that there is something that they could care less about. However, you idiots keep bringing the subject back up which makes them care just a little because they take the time to answer your silly questions. Hence, I could care less, if people say I could care less.
2007-03-21 17:50:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's more a question of lazy pronunciation than stupidity. Too lazy to pronounce the "n't", or the "k" on "ask".
A lot of perfectly intelligent people are lazy speakers.
In the same way, to call people "stupid" all the time is a form of lazy vocabulary.
2007-03-21 17:28:48 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This DRIVES ME NUTS. I don't think they've thought about the words and what they mean. Also, someone I know always says, "You're more than happy to . . ." instead of "You're more than welcome to...." How does she know I'm happy to do something????
2007-03-21 17:26:25 · answer #7 · answered by bibliophile31 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know exactly what you mean...I can stand when people say that.
2007-03-21 17:27:30 · answer #8 · answered by Layne J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're swimming in your own hatred, buddy.
'Tis all.
2007-03-21 20:50:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
denial
2007-03-21 17:25:39 · answer #10 · answered by lalalalalala 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋