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Author Topic: I could care less about my family  (Read 1583 times)

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Offline Matthew

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I could care less about my family
« on: June 12, 2013, 03:41:40 PM »
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    • "I could care less about my family."

    It's true!  They mean the world to me, so if I just valued them at $1M each, that would be caring less. There is plenty of room to go "down" when you're at a sky-high elevation.

    Why do people use the expression "I could care less" when they really mean "I couldn't care less"?


    Just an English lesson for the day.
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    Offline Capt McQuigg

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #1 on: June 12, 2013, 03:43:19 PM »
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    • Quote from: Matthew
    Why do people use the expression "I could care less" when they really mean "I couldn't care less"?



    This turn of phrase always puzzled me too!
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    Offline Napoli

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #2 on: June 12, 2013, 03:55:07 PM »
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    • The English language is full of little quirks like this.
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    Offline Boots

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #3 on: June 12, 2013, 04:02:49 PM »
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    • These little quirks exist to confuse those trying to learn English & drive the English teachers crazy trying to explain them successfully.
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    Offline Napoli

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #4 on: June 12, 2013, 04:08:03 PM »
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    • Lol. It's true. Easier to learn Italian. English is a maze of confusion. So many words mean the same thing.
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    Offline MyrnaM

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #5 on: June 12, 2013, 04:16:33 PM »
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    • This is the main reason why our wise Church insisted on the Latin language, it means...free from errors, unchanging, words do not change their meanings.
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    Offline Matthew

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #6 on: June 12, 2013, 04:17:42 PM »
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    • Quote from: MyrnaM
    This is the main reason why our wise Church insisted on the Latin language, it means...free from errors, unchanging, words do not change their meanings.


    Indeed.

    A dead language stays put.
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    Offline clare

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #7 on: June 12, 2013, 04:19:32 PM »
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    • [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/embed/om7O0MFkmpw[/youtube]
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    Offline Charlemagne

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #8 on: June 12, 2013, 05:20:31 PM »
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    • "I could care less," "hot water heater," and "supposably" are probably my least favorites. I also hate when people say "ax" instead of "ask."
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    Offline inprincipio

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #9 on: June 12, 2013, 06:47:50 PM »
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    • I hate "benefit of the doubt".  It makes no sense.
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    Offline ggreg

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #10 on: June 12, 2013, 06:50:08 PM »
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    • Because they are American.  I have never heard a non American English speaker say "I could care less".  It is an exclusively American mistake.

    How the n't got dropped I have no idea.
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    Offline Sigismund

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #11 on: June 12, 2013, 06:50:25 PM »
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    • Quote from: Matthew
    "I could care less about my family."

    It's true!  They mean the world to me, so if I just valued them at $1M each, that would be caring less. There is plenty of room to go "down" when you're at a sky-high elevation.

    Why do people use the expression "I could care less" when they really mean "I couldn't care less"?


    Just an English lesson for the day.


    Matthew,

    Apparently the three people who down thumbed your post are offended by grammar.   :smile:
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    Offline Incredulous

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #12 on: June 12, 2013, 06:56:38 PM »
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    • How about:

      "You know mean?"... for .."Do you know what I mean?"
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    Offline overmind

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #13 on: June 13, 2013, 09:25:04 AM »
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    • I remember trying to explain to an American how "bollocks" meant something was rubbish whereas "Dog's bollocks" meant it was great.
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    Offline Nadir

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    I could care less about my family
    « Reply #14 on: June 14, 2013, 12:56:27 AM »
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    • Quote from: Matthew


    Why do people use the expression "I could care less" when they really mean "I couldn't care less"?


    Just an English lesson for the day.


    I've never heard it said. I've heard "I couldn't care less" though.

    So is it an Americanism? Are there other non-American English speakers out there to answer the query?

    Phew! That was close. Just got it before the cement dried! Didn't see your post till after I posted the above, ggreg.
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