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Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
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 Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject: "I can care less." Phrase Misuse |
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The phrase is, 'I couldn't care less.' It means you have hit the bottom of caring. Why are so many people turning around this phrase completely and oppositely with 'can care less' to try and fit the same meaning as the original?
If we say 'I can care less' that means that you have room to care less than you do, so actually, with this phrase, you do care at least some. |
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dogbert
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: Killbox 90210
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: "I can care less." Phrase Misuse |
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| Cheonmunka wrote: |
The phrase is, 'I couldn't care less.' It means you have hit the bottom of caring. Why are so many people turning around this phrase completely and oppositely with 'can care less' to try and fit the same meaning as the original?
If we say 'I can care less' that means that you have room to go down and care less than you do, so actually, with this phrase, you do care. |
Good. B+
Now for your next assignment, I'd like you to expound on the widespread miss use of the phrase, "that begs the question of". |
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Corky
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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I have a theory on this. There are two phrases being mixed:
"Who could care less than me?" with "I couldn't care less."
Either way, if you use it incorrectly, you belong on the stupid farm. |
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Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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I have a theory on this. There are two phrases being mixed:
"Who could care less than me?" with "I couldn't care less."
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Ahh, so it's like someone's answering an unasked question by putting their hand up and saying, "It's me, I am the one who can care less."
Explanations, explanations,
keep my head from going bonkers
and off to the stupid farm. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know how anyone could make such a logic error in the first place. |
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Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know how anyone could make such a logic error in the first place. |
Firstly, the phrase 'I can care less' is (now?) used commonly in the ultimate context of not caring. But, it is mealey mouthed and wavering. A positive 'can' with a dampening 'less.'
'I couldn't care less' is definate. There is no room to care less. It's 0%.
I am beginning to understand its function, now, after your wiser explanations.
'Can care less' is a new phrase to me. I have only seen it appear in the last two years.
Maybe it is commonly used in North America? |
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Kimchi Cowboy
Joined: 17 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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People have been saying, "I could care less" for years. It's technically incorrect, but people still use it. We all know what the person means, though.
Next on "Grand & Mysterious Misuses of English":
Why do so many otherwise (apparently) intelligent people say,
"I'd like an eXpresso, please"? |
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billybrobby
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| This thread is absurdly trivial and boring. If only there was some kind of phrase that could express my feelings... |
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tomwaits
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Location: PC Bong
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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Tone can be 80% of intent and meaning I just read somewhere.
I COULD care less... but I cant be bothered to lower my level of idifference. Meaning is fine.
If you say teh Giants will win the Super Bowl and someone says "I could care less" you get the idea. You say OK not deliver a dissertation about how they REALLY are saying they COULD care less so they care. Unless you want to drink your beer glass first. |
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Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Tone is important, and most people understand "I could care less." Irregardless, it really gets under my skin, too, and I wish people would be a little more careful. |
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flakfizer
Joined: 12 Nov 2004
Location: scaling the Cliffs of Insanity with a frayed rope.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Cheonmunka wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I don't know how anyone could make such a logic error in the first place. |
Firstly, the phrase 'I can care less' is (now?) used commonly in the ultimate context of not caring. But, it is mealey mouthed and wavering. A positive 'can' with a dampening 'less.'
'I couldn't care less' is definate. |
You think that's bad. Take a look at the error that bothers another poster.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=64335&highlight=definately |
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Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Hey,
I just escaped.
shh.
Just escaped from the stupid farm. |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| Needless to say, not to mention, it goes without saying, irregardless, definately, misused apostrophes galore... |
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The Bobster
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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| My favorite is someone who writes, "for all intensive purposes." Obviously a case of someone trying to put to paper an expression they had only heard in speech. The only way this phrase could make sense is it it's referring to summer or winbter classes that have been designated as Intensives ... |
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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| Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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I had always assumed that the expression is merely a case of sarcasm, along with:
"Yeah, right."
"You're a fine one to talk."
"Fat chance."
"Big deal!"
"Whoopy-doo!" |
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