When you think about it, the British version makes sense and the American version gives the opposite meaning to that which it is trying to convey.
Where did this odd phrase come from?
2007-09-21 11:32:25 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
We also say "schedule" ....sked yul not "shed-yul. that sounds pretty stupid.
2007-09-21 11:38:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I completely agree. Saying "I could care less" makes no sense (and I couldn't care less if anyone disagrees with me).
The site "World Wide Words" offers a nice explanation on how the phrase came to exist. It started out as "I couldn't," and was coined by a British author named Anthony Phelps. The phrase became popular in the United States in the late 1950s. Over the years, the negative became the positive, and the phrase stopped making sense (in a literal way).
World Wide Words notes that many have tried to pin down the moment when "couldn't" became "could" but all have failed. I'd wager its a case of slang stripping away meaning.
Mike
2007-09-21 11:44:50 · answer #2 · answered by Ask Mike 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I've always notcied this to! Saying you could care less means that there is a lesser amount of caring you could have, while the latter means you are at the bottom of caring level! The phrase makes no sense!
We should say it the other way, I wish people would realize that.
2007-09-21 11:40:38 · answer #3 · answered by DeltaKilo3 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There's all kinds of idioms in the English language (American and British) that have the opposite meaning to the literal language. Why is that? Well people like to play with the language and the English language is the most playful of them all.
2007-09-21 11:38:54 · answer #4 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I remember when I first realized that. And I started saying I couldn't care less. Honestly before then I just didn't notice. It has almost become more of an idiom now.
2007-09-21 11:41:33 · answer #5 · answered by explodingtoothpicks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, they say both! And neither really makes sense, if you think about it!
However little you care about something, you could ALWAYS care "half as much", so it is always possible to care "less"!
2007-09-21 11:41:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Somehow, the "n't" got cut off... yes, it is incorrect and a little ignorant. However, it is widely accepted in America now, so no one really is bothered by it. Americans understand what the meaning behind the phrase is.
2007-09-21 11:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by Samantha 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I say I couldn't care less, but I've noticed people in America say I could care less which is ignorant and makes no sense, but hey what can you expect from us lazy, ignorant Americans?
2007-09-21 11:38:39 · answer #8 · answered by Mythical Tales 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I say it both ways. I didn't know one was 'British' and the other 'American'.
2007-09-21 11:51:46 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have noticed that too!! You are right it makes no sense, still everyone says it.....so it will go on!
2007-09-21 11:39:58 · answer #10 · answered by DJ_<3_JI 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I DON'T KNOW! that is my #1 pet peeve! i hate when people say " i could care less" cuz that means that they DO care
2007-09-21 11:39:58 · answer #11 · answered by KB 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋