| 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: |
| |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
