Grammar Assistance

[Bigaldoc]

Don't know if this applies on both sides of the pond. Another in the trivia soaked vocabulary of Big Al. Front page of today's paper, a snippet of a quote by one of our university sports coaches: "I could care less." Do you use that expression and if so, how do YOU say it:

• • "I could care less" implies a somewhat positive attitude meaning that it IS possible to care even less than you do. Your level of caring is NOT at its lowest level.
    
    "I couldn't care less" on the other hand, to me means that the subject is so low on my list of concerns that it's NOT possible for it to be any more unimportant! I have written it off my thinking list.

What say the Lounge pedants?

[John Gray]

A fundamental difference in emphasis between the original British usage (couldn't care less) and the American usage (could care less). You have the meanings correct.

Of the two, the British usage is the more extreme, that it would be impossible to care any less than one currently does (i.e. less than zero caringness).
The American usage always makes me think that "I could care less than I do at the moment - but only if you really, really, wanted me to".

Here is an erudite article on the matter.

[Bigaldoc]

Thanks John! That's an excellent article although one I fear none of my acquaintances would take time to read. I had no idea of its British origin.

[ChrisGreaves]

"I could care less." Do you use that expression and if so, how do YOU say it:

Just where do you stand on It's the least I could do?

For me that implies that if I could find a way to weasel out of doing even that little bit, I would.

i.e. I care so little that I'm looking for the minimum commitment.

Beyond that I dare not go. My time is precious. I have just been "selected as an inductee into the Distinguished Professionals Online Registry Among Executives. This selection was based on our research committees efforts to identify top professionals around the globe. "

Sadly they "did not receive your vital networking information", so I'm going to be very busy over the next few days assembling as much of my private information as I can, so these folks can disseminate (I think that's the word) it around the world.

But only to people who would be interested in receiving it ....

[John Gray]

I had no idea of its British origin.

So, Al - where do you think English came from ?!

[Bigaldoc]

I had no idea of its British origin.

So, Al - where do you think English came from ?!

From the bloody Aussies, of course...

When it comes to slang or colloquialisms I hardly ever know if something originated in England or the USA.

[BobH]

Hi Chris,

I think, "It's the least I could do." is meant to be self-deprecating. It is used in my experience when someone praises you for something for which you do not deserve praise - or wish to imply that you do not.

Example:
A widow says thank you for coming to the wake. You demur it was the least I could do meaning that I deserve no thanks but that you are most kind to offer them.

[BobH]

Hi BigAl,

I think "I could care less" is an Americanism that came from language laziness. I heard, "I could not (or couldn't) care less" or "I could care less, I suppose" in the vernacular as a child and young man. Dropping the 'not' or the 'I suppose' came about after television destroyed polite conversation and a great deal of civil courtesy.

[ChrisGreaves]

A widow says thank you for coming to the wake. You demur it was the least I could do meaning that I deserve no thanks but that you are most kind to offer them.

Ah Bob.
I'm nowhere near as nice a guy as that.
When a widow invites me to a wake, I say "It's the least I can do", meaning, "I'd have gotten out of it (and gone canoeing instead) if I could"

[jonwallace]

Al,

I think there is also an implication of "I could care less (but I can't be bothered)" hidden in there somewhere...

[Doc Watson]

Who gives a _____ ???!!!???

[Bigaldoc]

Who gives a _____ ???!!!???

So, I guess that means you couldn't care less, huh?

[StuartR]

Do you know the difference between ignorance and apathy?

Spoiler

I don't know and I don't care

[John Gray]

Who gives a _____ ???!!!???

I am afraid that this is symptomatic of the state of modern youth. Whatever happened to the caring society?

[viking33]

Who gives a _____ ???!!!???

I am afraid that this is symptomatic of the state of modern youth. Whatever happened to the caring society?

Somehow, I don't think Doc Watson is a member of our modern youth?
( sorry, Doc! ) Then again, perhaps he IS only a 13 year old teeny bopper?
What say you, Doc?

[ChrisGreaves]

"I could care less" implies ... What say the Lounge pedants?

I could care less what The Lounge Pedants say or think. (grin)
But I *do* pay attention to Steven Pinker.

50-50.jpg

(Full-size scan available here for a short while .....)

[John Gray]

What you really meant to say is that Steven Pinker (who he?) agrees with The Lounge Pedant!

[ChrisGreaves]

Steven Pinker (who he?) ...