I Couldn't Care Less
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While I agree that many say it wrong out of ignorance, I'll say again: If I say "Could care less", I mean actually it.
PIEBALDconsult wrote:
I'll say again: If I say "Could care less", I mean actually it.
This is probably the source of the mixup in meanings, because both statements are syntactically and logically meaningful: "I couldn't care less" = I don't care at all "I could care less" = I care a little I agree with you, I use both statements and mean different things. I'm one of those who also finds saying "I could care less" to mean "I don't care" to be just a little bit grating on the nerves. Something else that probably contributed to the merging of meanings is that "I couldn't care less" is the subjunctive tense. English almost never uses that tense anymore, because it sounds unnatural; consequently, it's not processed as efficiently by English speakers. So it then becomes easy for it to get mixed up with 'Could care less.' [/end today's english lesson]
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
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Its the Americans. They seem to often have little understanding of English, using it in the most bizare ways. Especially Americans who like to think they are clever. Another habit Americans have is loosing the subject-object relatioship of a sentence of greater than around 10 words. It is really quite ammusing watching them struggle for air as their mind turgidly tries to backtrack to safer ground mid speech as they realise they are about to hit the red tape backwards.
Truth is the subjection of reality to an individuals perception
fat_boy wrote:
Another habit Americans have is loosing the subject-object relatioship of a sentence of greater than around 10 words.
This doesn't seem to be something I have trouble with, but then, I grew up reading books. Also, learning to read "A Tale of Two Cities", where sentences go on for whole chapters, certainly helped. ;) That said, I think you're right. The American lingual attention span is quite short, thus the preferences for "sounds bites" on the news, rather than full fledged, complete sentences.
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
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There it is peoples. Couldn't not could. The subject matter at hand (what ever that may be) is so insignificant, is so puerile, annoys me so much that I could NOT care less about it than say the size of Britney Spears arse or the lack of any talent or parenting skills. Christ, if you can't get that tiny little piece of the english language correct give up trying to conduct any form of communication, especially if it is in written form and being displayed on an international forum. People like to act all pompous and carry on about their intelligence and that of developers in general, but I reckon the average burger flipper over here can get this phrase correct 99 times out of a hundred and I'm seeing it used incorrectly on here far more frequently. For those that don't like my tone, in the infamous words of Gordie Lachance "they can suck my big long fat one".
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
My favourite expression to convey the same feeling is: I don't give a rat's ass about... and do you know what a rat's as is worth? Tim
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Its the Americans. They seem to often have little understanding of English, using it in the most bizare ways. Especially Americans who like to think they are clever. Another habit Americans have is loosing the subject-object relatioship of a sentence of greater than around 10 words. It is really quite ammusing watching them struggle for air as their mind turgidly tries to backtrack to safer ground mid speech as they realise they are about to hit the red tape backwards.
Truth is the subjection of reality to an individuals perception
If one wishes to criticize an entire nation on its use of its native language, using that same language to do so, it would behoove that individual to use said language correctly.
fat_boy wrote:
loosing the subject-object relatioship
How does one "loose" a relatioship? Perhaps you meant "lose." Don't get me started on spelling. Oh, too late! bizarre relationship amusing mid-speech And it's versus its. "It's" the Americans..., not "Its." Contraction of it is. "Its" is the possessive. After looking up the word possessive, apply the concept correctly to your signature. Kindest regards, BDF
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Its the Americans. They seem to often have little understanding of English, using it in the most bizare ways. Especially Americans who like to think they are clever. Another habit Americans have is loosing the subject-object relatioship of a sentence of greater than around 10 words. It is really quite ammusing watching them struggle for air as their mind turgidly tries to backtrack to safer ground mid speech as they realise they are about to hit the red tape backwards.
Truth is the subjection of reality to an individuals perception
...and your point is what fat boy?
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PIEBALDconsult wrote:
I'll say again: If I say "Could care less", I mean actually it.
This is probably the source of the mixup in meanings, because both statements are syntactically and logically meaningful: "I couldn't care less" = I don't care at all "I could care less" = I care a little I agree with you, I use both statements and mean different things. I'm one of those who also finds saying "I could care less" to mean "I don't care" to be just a little bit grating on the nerves. Something else that probably contributed to the merging of meanings is that "I couldn't care less" is the subjunctive tense. English almost never uses that tense anymore, because it sounds unnatural; consequently, it's not processed as efficiently by English speakers. So it then becomes easy for it to get mixed up with 'Could care less.' [/end today's english lesson]
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
Be simpler to replace "I couldn't care less" with "FU".
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My favourite expression to convey the same feeling is: I don't give a rat's ass about... and do you know what a rat's as is worth? Tim
With plague or without?
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Be fair. Australia gave us "Budgie Smugglers" Crocodile Dundee Fosters Germaine Greer Rolf Harris Yeah your right. How Dare they contribute to the English Language, Look what they have given us. B@$t@rdS.
------------------------------------ Happy Primes Lead to Happy Memories. Don't Google FGI
Dalek Dave wrote:
Yeah your right.
[spelling error detected]
Todd Smith
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With plague or without?
I'll have mine without. But could I get some chili sauce. And hold the fries. BDF
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There it is peoples. Couldn't not could. The subject matter at hand (what ever that may be) is so insignificant, is so puerile, annoys me so much that I could NOT care less about it than say the size of Britney Spears arse or the lack of any talent or parenting skills. Christ, if you can't get that tiny little piece of the english language correct give up trying to conduct any form of communication, especially if it is in written form and being displayed on an international forum. People like to act all pompous and carry on about their intelligence and that of developers in general, but I reckon the average burger flipper over here can get this phrase correct 99 times out of a hundred and I'm seeing it used incorrectly on here far more frequently. For those that don't like my tone, in the infamous words of Gordie Lachance "they can suck my big long fat one".
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Definately one of my pet peeves. Irregardless of how bad there grammer is, for all intensive purposes we understand what they mean so it's all good.
dighn wrote:
Definately
Ouch!
dighn wrote:
Irregardless
That hurts!
dighn wrote:
there grammer
Please stop, I'm begging!
dighn wrote:
for all intensive purposes
Gasp! Ugh!!
dighn wrote:
it's
Whew, what a relief. BDF
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There it is peoples. Couldn't not could. The subject matter at hand (what ever that may be) is so insignificant, is so puerile, annoys me so much that I could NOT care less about it than say the size of Britney Spears arse or the lack of any talent or parenting skills. Christ, if you can't get that tiny little piece of the english language correct give up trying to conduct any form of communication, especially if it is in written form and being displayed on an international forum. People like to act all pompous and carry on about their intelligence and that of developers in general, but I reckon the average burger flipper over here can get this phrase correct 99 times out of a hundred and I'm seeing it used incorrectly on here far more frequently. For those that don't like my tone, in the infamous words of Gordie Lachance "they can suck my big long fat one".
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
I could care less what you think.
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If one wishes to criticize an entire nation on its use of its native language, using that same language to do so, it would behoove that individual to use said language correctly.
fat_boy wrote:
loosing the subject-object relatioship
How does one "loose" a relatioship? Perhaps you meant "lose." Don't get me started on spelling. Oh, too late! bizarre relationship amusing mid-speech And it's versus its. "It's" the Americans..., not "Its." Contraction of it is. "Its" is the possessive. After looking up the word possessive, apply the concept correctly to your signature. Kindest regards, BDF
If you are such a good typist why dont you work as one?
Big Daddy Farang wrote:
using that same language to do so
I could do it in French, at least its spellng is more consistant than English, but you wouldn't understand me. Its a pain in th arse writing apopstropphes all the rime. Hadnt you noticed? So, to round it off succinctly: Va te fair foutre! Et ta mere!
Truth is the subjection of reality to an individuals perception
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...and your point is what fat boy?