View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402
|
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry, eye rolls and claims of solecism notwithstanding, "could care less" is an established American form rooted in sarcastic intent. Here's an excellent writeup:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803
|
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Zero wrote: |
Sorry, eye rolls and claims of solecism notwithstanding, "could care less" is an established American form rooted in sarcastic intent. Here's an excellent writeup:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't." |
A quote from the aforementioned write up:
Quote: |
And because it is hard to be sarcastic in writing, it loses its force when put on paper and just ends up looking stupid. |
Agreed! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402
|
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OK, but the author is British, writing about English "from a British perspective." It looks stupid to people who are used to "couldn't care less." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
|
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Zero wrote: |
Sorry, eye rolls and claims of solecism notwithstanding, "could care less" is an established American form rooted in sarcastic intent. Here's an excellent writeup:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't." |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Zero wrote: |
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't." |
That doesn't make it correct English. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think it's simply nitpicking |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
naturegirl321 wrote: |
I think it's simply nitpicking |
So you could care less? Or you couldn't? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 6:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Glenski wrote: |
Zero wrote: |
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't." |
That doesn't make it correct English. |
It very much does. Language changes by majority vote. That is, when enough people start saying it, it becomes the accepted and therefore the correct form. This is true all-around, but particularly so with idioms. Otherwise, what do you take as your authority for linguistic "correctness"? Some forgotten grammar book sitting on a dusty shelf? Why aren't you using "thee" and "thou"? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
|
Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
bulgogiboy wrote: |
naturegirl321 wrote: |
I think it's simply nitpicking |
So you could care less? Or you couldn't? |
MM, how about, "I simply don't care" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
|
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Prof.Gringo wrote: |
Sometimes folks hate to hear the truth, but as a friend, co-worker and supervisor once told me:
If multiple people with no common background or knowledge of each other all give you the same advice on an issue or question, there is probably a reason... |
Just thought I would remind newbies of that bit of golden wisdom |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mimi_intheworld
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE
|
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dear Wise Givers Of Advice:
Can I just say thank you? I can? Good.
Thank you.
I honestly don't know how you do it, day after day, year after year, giving almost the exact same advice to a million-billion people who ask yet again, "Do I really need....? Can't I just....? Have you ever.....?"
I accidentally started a facebook group that has about 100 teachers and applicants in it now, and even though it's quite a small and new group, I am already tired of answering the same questions over and over again!
So what's your secret to remaining sane even as you type for the millionth time "You really need a CELTA/SIT/Trinity cert for XX country"?
It's decades of teaching and answering the same question day after day after day, isn't it?
Well, whatever it is, thanks.
From a newbie who's building her experience as an answerer of questions |
|
Back to top |
|
|
chaiplz
Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 108 Location: Boston, MA
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
mimi_intheworld wrote: |
Well, whatever it is, thanks.
|
I concur.. I try to make sure I'm not 'double asking' (I've been scouring the threads for some time now) but when I do, I appreciate the patience and time people take to answer my questions. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
CherieAT
Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 4 Location: coquitlam BC
|
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:42 am Post subject: Hey thank you so much!!! |
|
|
I love feedback and advice!!! I take it all in. Thanks to the teachers taking the time to reply to all the newbies here. I appreciate it!
Cher |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Another Joe
Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Midwest US
|
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
My first post.
As a noob, I appreciate the advice given here. As you can see I'm heeding the read before you ask aspect of it.
From the pooled wisdom and experience I've found here so far I've made my first couple of ESL contacts. I don't know if I'd ever have been able to filter all the info I was getting without the input I've been blessed with here.
Thanks for the patience and tips. If this noob ever comes across as arrogant or ungrateful, PM me and hold me accountable. Really, I could care a LOT less. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
M.Andrew
Joined: 03 Sep 2011 Posts: 10 Location: Jeddah
|
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the tips. I am really anticipating the advice and insight offered by senior members here. You are much appreciated for all your contributions! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|