could or couldn't give a....?

2010-01-07 11:11:33

#1

ruisleipa: Member; +149|6637|teh FIN-land

I love our English-speaking cousins worldwide, but I have a question. In the UK we say 'I COULDN'T care less' about X. Logically correct. But in the US you guys say 'I could care less', which doesn't make sense. If you COULD care less then...it's not the least important thing ever, which is the whole point of the expresion.

So can any of you linguists explain why the yanks say it that way? Plus just out of interest how do Auz/NZ peeps say it (I guess the canucks go the US route?). Or am I totally wrong?

Was thinking of this listening to Pantera's "where you come from" which uses 'I could care less'.

2010-01-07 11:17:38

#2

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|7064

Yeah, it's a point of some annoyance to me to. I have a feeling the Canadians go the English route on this matter though, at least all my Canadian friends say it that way.

2010-01-07 11:20:32

#3

Peter: Super Awesome Member; +494|6817|dm_maidenhead

It only makes sense if you say "I couldn't care less"

2010-01-07 11:27:38

#4

KEN-JENNINGS: I am all that is MOD!; +2,991|7047|949

no, Americans say "couldn't care less" as well. You must just talk with dumb dumbs. They exist in every shape, color and nationality.

2010-01-07 11:32:07

#5

DrunkFace: Germans did 911; +427|7096|Disaster Free Zone

It's shorter, easier and lazier. Making sense just pales in comparison to that.

2010-01-07 11:43:25

#6

steelie34: pub hero!; +603|6796|the land of bourbon

pantera is the pinnacle of proper usage of the english language.

u need more george carlin tbh

do you get "on the plane" or "in the plane?" was that a near-miss, or a near-hit?

https://bf3s.com/sigs/36e1d9e36ae924048a933db90fb05bb247fe315e.png

2010-01-07 11:44:31

#7

ruisleipa: Member; +149|6637|teh FIN-land

steelie34 wrote:
pantera is the pinnacle of proper usage of the english language.

lol good point.

I get on the plane, but when I'm on it, I'm also in it.

And a near-miss, just cos that's the expression.

2010-01-07 11:44:58

#8

Kez: Member; +778|6118|London, UK

couldn't care less seems like the lazy way to pronounce it!!!

2010-01-07 11:46:51

#9

Eagle: Togs8896 is my evil alter ego; +567|7046|New Hampshire, USA

I've heard people say I could care less and I've said I could care less. Never made sense to me but eh, a lot about this stupid language doesn't make sense