What is the proper way of saying it- I 'could' care less, or I 'couldn't' care less?

Question

I know most people said 'could' but that doesn't really make sense. That's like saying, you DO care, but it's possible to care less. Wouldn't it make more sense to say you 'couldn't' care less, therefore giving the idea that there is nothing you could care any less about, which is really the whole point of the phrase, isn't it?

I think that made sense, if not just ignore me.. it's just something that has bothered me for a long time. lol

Answer 1

The ORIGINAL (British) form of the expression was "I couldn't care less" -- and you're right about the point of it

In the U.S., though, you also often hear the variation "I could care less". For years, I dismissed this as ignorant and illogical. And it IS illogical -- so don't get caught up in various attempts to make good sense of it.

But I think I may have missed the point. The way to make sense of "I could care less" is to recognize that it is SARCASTIC.

One writer, in fact, points out that the way the whole expression differently from the negative form. I can't fully represent it here, so you'll have to look at the link, but I've tried to give the idea below (I've marked the highpoint of the expression with asterisks. In the second version "could" is the lowest, least emphasized part, quite the opposite of "COULDN'T".)

"i *COULDN'T* care LESS". vs. "I could *CARE* less."

http://ling.kgw.tu-berlin.de/lexicography/data/MAVENS.html p. 377
= Steven Pinker, The Language Instinct - How the Mind Creates Language, HarperPerennial, 1995, ch 12


Note - this may well explain the ORIGIN of this variation. That doesn't mean everyone who USES this form actually GETS it that it is supposed to be sarcastic (and so, they may not pronounce it as described above). But it does argue that the "illogic" of the form was originally intentional!

Incidentally, note that those who attempt to make a LOGICAL explanation of this form act as if it is pronounced "I COULD care less". But, of course, it is NOT spoken that way. So much for their explanations.

Compare this with the sarcastic use of "fat chance" (or in a longer form "fat lot of good it will do"). The tone of voice that indicates one means the exact opposite.

But note that even though each expression refers to the same 'basic facts', they are NOT exactly the same (and so cannot be exchanged) because the sarcastic "fat chance" includes an ATTITUDE that's not present in "slim chance". The same is true of "I could/n't care less"

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fat+chance
http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9911d&L=ads-l&F=&S=&P=4982

Answer 2

Dear:
The context in which the phrase " I could not care less", is the hypothetical situation in which somebody, is not worried AT ALL about the fact presented. Now if that somebody can not care even less, its because he or she, are not able to care otherwise, even in a minor amount. Thus, the phrase I" I could not care less" is gramatically correct. indicating a deep despise about a nonsensical or non important fact. and that the person that is evaluating the presented fact or situation does not care about the subject, tha term "less" esxpresses unability to care even less so.

Answer 3

Well, if you cut out the contraction and say the whole words, it's I COULD NOT CARE LESS (than I already don't). LOL. Don't anal-ize over everything as small as this. Who cares if people say it right or not? You know what they mean. If there's a typo in an internet message LIKE MINE! who cares? but the anal-izer? It's the message you gotta hear, not necessarily the detail.

Answer 4

Here's another way of expressing the same sentiment. This one is in Latin:

"Non mihi curae est,"

which loosely translated means "I don't care."

(For correct pronunciation, consult a Latin dictionary or e-mail me using Yahoo!'s services.)

That way nobody can say you are expressing your sentiment incorrectly, because they won't know what the heck you are saying anyway, except perhaps a few Latin scholars like myself.

By the way, those who think the correct English expression for this sentiment is "I could care less" are wrong. To say that is to say that one cares to some extent, and implies that one could care to a lesser extent. When one says "I couldn't care less," they are saying they care to the least extent possible. That is to say not at all, which is the sentiment they are trying to convey.

Answer 5

I couldn't care less. OR I could care less.
As in, I couldnt care less about what she said.
Or I could care less about what she said.
Meaning either " I could not possibly care any less than what I do now"
or I could care less, I just dont want to put forth the effort to care less b/c it aint worth it.

Answer 6

I couldn't care less......means it won't be possible for me to care. People are lazy when it comes to language. If they really thought about the things they say they wouldn't say them at all. Most comments are self-defeating and to the other person...put downs.

Answer 7

You should say "I couldn't care less"

but language is speech and people are lazy, so it became "I could care less" which should provoke the response:
"so why don't you?"

Answer 8

The proper way is "I couldn't (could not) care less"

People say it wrongly all the time.

Answer 9

Saying 'I could care less' means you do care but very little, and you could care a little less.. but you don't because you care a little bit.

^_^

Answer 10

it should be could NOT care less

otherwise it makes no sense