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I could/couldn't care less!

I could/couldn't care less!

I could/couldn't care less!

(OP)
I object to people who say "I could care less" to indicate that they do not care at all.  If a person could care less, that means that the person does care some amount and therefore actually could care less.  To me the proper term to express not caring is "I couldn't care less."  That is, I care so little, I don't care at all.

Do you care?

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

It kinda bugs me but it's as commonplace as "irregardless" so I've started to tune it out.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15
www.hp15c.org
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RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Fire straight back with "Not too sure, eh?"

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

I could care less, if I thought about it further.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

One can always care less clear into minus infinity.  If you don't mind.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

I feel strongly both ways.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

I am ambivalent.

rmw

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

PEinc…

"I could care less" is a sarcasm, meaning "as if I could care any less." As such, is it a perfectly valid statement, though it is grating when overused.

Actually, if prefer my friends statement: "You have me confused with some who gives a d*mn."

Fred

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Enough of this silliness.  I'm leaving if you don't care.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Umm... what's wrong with "irregardless"? And what's the proper replacement, if this is wrong?

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Hi Turb,

'regardless' means 'without regard'. 'Irregardless' is not a word, just an American bastardisation of English. And no, bastardisation is not a word either, and yes it has an 's' not a 'z' at the end!

In the UK, the phrase is 'Couldn't care less', used interchangeably with the US 'Could care less' even though they are apparent opposites. At least the UK version makes grammatical sense!

----------------------------------
  Start each day with a smile. Get it over with.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Actually "Bastardisation" is  a recognized word meaning "an act that debases or corrupts".


Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

ScottyUK - Irregardless is not accepted as a valid word in the USA either.  The phrase 'couldn't care less' is also used throughout the USA.

Just because a few are wrong, doesn't mean the whole is wrong.

With respect to the 's' vs 'z' debate, you might want to look at English history.  I think you'll find that it the Americans have actually preserved the use of the 'z', as it was the British who are responsible for the change.  The transformation occurred largely during the 1800's was driven primarily by French influence.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Thank you! So... one should use "without regard to"? Or is there a more "ellegant" way to say it (using less than 3 words)?

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Regardless is the word.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Or, irrespective

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15
www.hp15c.org
--------------------

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Indubitably.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Irregardless is a perfectly cromulent word.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

I care less about this, now

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Cajun, Limey

Thank you both! As 'bastardisation' is a word, I shall try to include it in my work at some stage. The results should be interesting to say the least.

I will continue digging on the 's' and 'z' thing - I am unconvinced but interested. I am surprised that England would have adopted the grammar of their traditional enemy at a time when we were still quarrelling with the French.

----------------------------------
  Start each day with a smile. Get it over with.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

I prefer the phrase "I don't give a rat's a$$" and I could care less if anybody is offended.

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

in the immortal words of Rhett: - Frankly my dear... I don't give a damn.

saludos.
a.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Regarding bastardy, I think the term should be "children of illegitemate parents." The child didn't exactly have a choice, and shouldn't bear the consequences of the parents' indiscretion.

------------------------------------------
     "...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail."

              Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Irregardles of the fact that many Americans could care less about proper use of termz and phrazez, I also think too that it isn't all right to condemn the entire American race.

Signed,
G.W Bush

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

I think that's the first time I've ever heard Americans refered to as a "race".  Mutts would be a better description for us, methinks.

Edward L. Klein
Pipe Stress Engineer
Houston, Texas

"All the world is a Spring"

All opinions expressed here are my own and not my company's.

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Is any country any different nowadays ... racewise?

I don't know of any country which has "pure stock" only, & if there are any I hope other governments are keeping a wary eye on them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
(Unabashedly Politically Incorrect)

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Look at the "author" of jraef's quote.  You're not arguing with the right person.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: I could/couldn't care less!

Hg ... I'm not sure who your post was replying to, but mine was to StressGuys.

Yes I did notice the signature. smile Who else could come up with such a sentence other than G.W. .... and jraef of course. lol

MERRY CHRISTMAS
(Unabashedly Politically Incorrect)

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