I could care less

[Frank Apisa]

There isn't much scholarly consideration because "could care less" is wrong. If a scholar should happen not to know what's grammatically correct (and, sadly, younger profs frequently don't), his or her editor is simply going to correct the grammar.

"I could care less" is wrong?

Or do you mean "inappropriate" to the way it is being used?

I certainly could use the expression "I could care less" in a logical, and NOT WRONG way...and I suspect you could also.

 

[nota bene]

Yes, "care less" is wrong. Of course, there are circumstances in which writing "I could care less" is correct. Here's an example: I could care less, and I should probably make an effort to do just that.

You can check Jack Lynch's grammar site at Rutgers or any number of other sites, but here is a link to a site that's very, very cool for reasons other than grammar: World Wide Words: I could care less

 

[Frank Apisa]

Yes, "care less" is wrong. Of course, there are circumstances in which writing "I could care less" is correct. Here's an example: I could care less, and I should probably make an effort to do just that.

You can check Jack Lynch's grammar site at Rutgers or any number of other sites, but here is a link to a site that's very, very cool for reasons other than grammar: World Wide Words: I could care less

Okay...so it is not "wrong" as you wrote when you replied to me with, "There isn't much scholarly consideration because "could care less" is wrong."

That's all I was saying.

 

[disneydude]

What follows is not a criticism, I am just curious. In the UK they say "I couldn't care less" but in the States it's "I could care less" which implies that you already care a bit which is not what the phrase is supposed to mean. Was the phrase in the States ever "I couldn't care less" and are there regions in the States where the original phrase is still used?

No they don't. The only people in the US that say "I could care less" are the ignorant that don't think about what they are saying.

 

[lb_on_teh_cb]

No they don't. The only people in the US that say "I could care less" are the ignorant that don't think about what they are saying.

who is more ignorant?

people who say "I could care less" or people who spend 3 pages arguing about it?

 

[lb_on_teh_cb]

Here in New Jersey we have an interpretation that resolves all this.

We grab our crotch...and say, "I gotcha care right heah!"

Very seldom is there much in the way of scholarly considerations about the nuances of the "could" or "couldn't."

Here is a typical Jersey guy responding to this thread:

Yeah...lots of Jersey guys wear Yankee caps.

lives in his mothers basement

 

[Manc Skipper]

Then there's "Holding down the fort!" David Mitchell has a rant that covers both!

 

[Frank Apisa]

lives in his mothers basement

Probably.

And I loved your comment about

"who is being more ignorant? people who say "I could care less" or people who spend 3 pages arguing about it?"

 

[lb_on_teh_cb]

Probably.

And I loved your comment about

"who is being more ignorant? people who say "I could care less" or people who spend 3 pages arguing about it?"

ty...

 

[nota bene]

who is more ignorant?

people who say "I could care less" or people who spend 3 pages arguing about it?

I'd say people who have nothing useful to contribute to the topic but add to their post-totals anyway.

Believe it or not, some people care very much about grammar...and this is good because so very few do. I mean, somebody has to.

 

[Gaugingcatenate]

I'm American. Some say "couldn't care less" and some say "could care less." It drives me crazy when people say "could care less." Because grammar nazi.

Hmmm, maybe I am missing something here, but for a self-described grammar nazi, is there not an error with that phrasing? At first I wasn't going to say anything, intending to ignore it and just let it pass. Yet, it seems now apparent, I could've cared less.

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Hmmm, maybe I am missing something here, but for a self-described grammar nazi, is there not an error with that phrasing? At first I wasn't going to say anything, intending to ignore it and just let it pass. Yet, it seems now apparent, I could've cared less.

Yes. That was the point.

 

[Gaugingcatenate]

Yes. That was the point.

Yes, and it was also my vehicle to enter the fray. Besides, a true grammar nazi would never even jest about such things in such a manner. They have the apparent SS, apparent super simpletons [like myself], to police the matter.

 

[lb_on_teh_cb]

I'd say people who have nothing useful to contribute to the topic but add to their post-totals anyway.

Believe it or not, some people care very much about grammar...and this is good because so very few do. I mean, somebody has to.

yeah because folks on here are looking to boost their post totals, lol

and btw someone else found it useful:

Probably.

And I loved your comment about

"who is being more ignorant? people who say "I could care less" or people who spend 3 pages arguing about it?"

 

[nota bene]

Hmmm, maybe I am missing something here, but for a self-described grammar nazi, is there not an error with that phrasing? At first I wasn't going to say anything, intending to ignore it and just let it pass. Yet, it seems now apparent, I could've cared less.

I find this trendy grammatical omission funny. Remember the delayed-negation trend of a decade ago? Example: "I really love that shirt...not!"

About the "because + noun construction: https://stancarey.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/because-has-become-a-preposition-because-grammar/

 

[Captain America]

Which is correct?

"He is in hospital."

Or.......

"He is in the hospital."

I know, I know.

You could care less.

 

[Gaugingcatenate]

I find this trendy grammatical omission funny. Remember the delayed-negation trend of a decade ago? Example: "I really love that shirt...not!"

About the "because + noun construction: https://stancarey.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/because-has-become-a-preposition-because-grammar/

Good article, thanks. Where I was teaching in Florida, we didn't seem to get this fad as I do not remember it passing through our way. I can see with the cell phone texting revolution that many people started using the economy of taking off the "of" from after the word "because", or as I would incessantly observe on papers turned in for a grade, "b/c"...

 

[_Sal]

It's "teef".

could be toofs...

 

[Beaudreaux]

What follows is not a criticism, I am just curious. In the UK they say "I couldn't care less" but in the States it's "I could care less" which implies that you already care a bit which is not what the phrase is supposed to mean. Was the phrase in the States ever "I couldn't care less" and are there regions in the States where the original phrase is still used?

The statement is "I couldn't care less" which is correct regardless of location. People that say they "could care less" are just repeating what they heard being said incorrectly, making them incorrect as well.

 

[Captain America]

The statement is "I couldn't care less" which is correct regardless of location. People that say they "could care less" are just repeating what they heard being said incorrectly, making them incorrect as well.

But what if the person could actually care less? I mean, like I care a little today but tomorrow, I could care less. Hey, it's possible.

 

[Helix]

What follows is not a criticism, I am just curious. In the UK they say "I couldn't care less" but in the States it's "I could care less" which implies that you already care a bit which is not what the phrase is supposed to mean. Was the phrase in the States ever "I couldn't care less" and are there regions in the States where the original phrase is still used?

it's "i couldn't care less" here, too. the other version is incorrect, though it still conveys the same sentiment due to common misuse.

 

[Beaudreaux]

But what if the person could actually care less? I mean, like I care a little today but tomorrow, I could care less. Hey, it's possible.

That's true, but also rhetorical, which means I couldn't care less to know if they could care less. I just presume they could care less unless they display apathy and present an incredulous demeanor which would tell me that they couldn't care less even though they may say they could care less, which I couldn't care less about.

 

[_Sal]

For some rather perverse reason, this thread has amused me!

But in the spirit of debate, I will add that if you mean that you actually don't give a damn about the topic in question, the proper response is "I couldn't care less", because if you could care less, then you're basically an idiot for not waiting until you couldn't care less to make a definitive public statement that you definitely "could care less" but don't actually care less at this point in time.! :lol:

exactly

it speaks also to the double negative which then becomes a positive

 

[Captain America]

That's true, but also rhetorical, which means I couldn't care less to know if they could care less. I just presume they could care less unless they display apathy and present an incredulous demeanor which would tell me that they couldn't care less even though they may say they could care less, which I couldn't care less about.

Perhaps the incorrect form of the expression was born in southern cultures where a degree of civility and politeness was the rule of the day. So, instead of saying, "You're LOWER than a snake's belly in a wagon rut," they say "You're AS low as a snake's belly in a wagon rut." That leaves some room for good conscience.

Not many people realize that when a sounthern good ol' boy says, "Bless yer heart." He means, "You poor ol' dumbass."

I know, I know. I've had too much coffee. Thank you for putting up with me and the good conversation.

 

[Goshin]

could be toofs...

IIRC, the singular is "toofus"...