It's a nonsensical phrase. People, the correct way is "I couldn't care less". "I could care less" implies that there is room left for you to not care, which renders the idiom useless. Sadly, "I could care less" is more common. It's quite pathetic actually.
2007-12-30 10:25:57 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I have a little Grammar Nazi in me. I'm okay with slang, but "I could care less" is not slang. It's the retardation of the English language.
2007-12-30 10:44:16 · update #1
Well, English is disputably the most nonsensical language in the world!
Which means: I don't know.
2007-12-30 10:37:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, you are right: "I could care less" is absurd. Literally it could mean that you care quite a lot, which is probably the opposite of what is intended..
Take 2. No one here is catching the significance of the question. Why has a logical, straightforward saying been transformed into illogical, ambiguous nonsense? The degradation of language implies a breakdown of underlying thought processes. Incipit mass imbecility. --Carlos
2007-12-30 10:47:26 · answer #2 · answered by Dear Carlos 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I grew up in Australia hearing the phrase: "I couldn't care less. "
"I could care less" must be an American phrase.
2008-01-02 23:30:46 · answer #3 · answered by Jesusa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sometimes use it but you have to finish the thought.
For Example:
I could care less about your question but it would be difficult.
Or; it would be hard work, it would be a lot of work, it would be nearly impossible etc.
2007-12-30 12:37:53 · answer #4 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably because they do care a little. If they didn't care at all, if they truly couldn't care less, they wouldn't bother to say it.
2007-12-30 10:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I believe the phrase was meant to be said in a sort of ...prolonging of motive. Or even said on bended knee: Like, Well...... you know., I COULD care less....
It it great for screen play and the like as it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways..!
2007-12-30 11:42:03 · answer #6 · answered by Jeska J 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
"I could care less (about this subject than I do about anything else)"
It's not useless, you just need to be a little creative with it.
And who ever said that fixed idioms had to make sense anyway?
2007-12-30 10:30:40 · answer #7 · answered by Expat Mike 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
You're right. "I couldn't care less" makes sense.
2007-12-30 15:06:28 · answer #8 · answered by Bunky the Clown 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
LOL The grammar Nazis are at it again!
2007-12-30 10:33:13 · answer #9 · answered by Karen 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It's called "Slang".
2007-12-30 10:37:18 · answer #10 · answered by Vida 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋