I couldn't care less

[Bluesplayer]

It's always bothered me when people say, "I could care less," when they actually mean that they couldn't. I sought help for this once, and I was better for a while, but now it's back. I'm hearing it way too often on TV from people who, because expressing themselves verbally seems to be the primary tool of their chosen vocation, should know better.

I'm almost at the point where this bothers me more than the context of whatever story they're blathering about. Maybe because I still feel like I can actually DO SOMETHING about this.

[Floogeldy]

1. Look at it this way

"I could care less" might mean that the speaker is trying to tell the other person that he or she cares about them, at least a little bit.

Like, "I'm trying to give you a break by caring for you to an extent. After all, I could care less!"

In a sense, it could be a way of reaching out and expressing some concern for the individual, instead of not caring at all.

B-)

[Bluesplayer]

2. No

That's not it - they're just idiots.

[mykpart]

3. That one bothers me too!

But people have been misusing it for at least 40 years. The other one that drives me up the wall is people who don't know the difference between "infer" and "imply."

[Bluesplayer]

4. hmmm

Your post infers that I might know the difference.

[mykpart]

6. No, YOU infer that. My post implied it.

[LiberalAndProud]

5. Well really, I could care less if I really really tried hard.

But I am simply not up to the expenditure of energy that would entail. I might be able to care less if I didn't care more. I really don't think I could care more even if I really really tried, so surely I could care less.

[Bluesplayer]

7. ?

do you work for the White House?

[LiberalAndProud]

8. No. Do you think they are taking apps for their PR dept?

I bet I could BS with the best of them.