Korean Job Discussion Forums

WoBW · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: HBC

Now, I don't want to turn this into a flame war about British versus US English. Both are valid, both have made valuable contributions to the English language. I'm British, my I find myself often using US English and spelling in Korea because that's what they're most familiar with here. And that's just find.

However, one expression in US English that bugs me. "I could give a shit." - is supposed to mean I really don't care at all, right. Well the logic escapes me here. saying "I could give a shit." literally means I at least care enough to give a shit. Or "I could care less" literally means "I do care some, because... well "I COULD care LESS." Doesn't make sense.

In Brit. English we say "I couldn't care less" or "I couldn't give a shit." Surely that makes more sense.

I types this message in a hurry between classes, so apologies if coherence isn't a strong point.

JustJohn · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Location: Your computer screen

I'm from the states but I say "Couldn't care less." I agree, it's stupid to say it the other way, that would mean that you DO care about it.

As for the other one, I think it sounds funny with anything other than "don't," but I guess you'd be technically right about that as well.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

The Brits have their little idiosyncrasies, as well. Public school is paid for and Private school is free?

Czarjorge · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject:

Are you basing this distinction on spoken or written examples?

I've never used, and never heard anyone use, "I could give a shit."

Though your analysis of what it WOULD mean seems accurate.

I wouldn't even say "I couldn't give a shit" is that common. "I don't give a shit", yes, I hear that regularly, but not "I couldn't give a shit."

WoBW · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: HBC

It's mostly from written examples. I've read many books lately that use the "I could give a shit" expression. For example, I'm currently reading "My Friend Leonard" by James Frey. It's in there a lot. Also in the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connolly, and more I could mention.

Stevie_B · Joined: 14 May 2008

I've noticed this too and from what I can work out, it's an upstate New York thing.

JustJohn · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Location: Your computer screen

Well there you have it. They're idiots.

P.S.
Joking

mateomiguel · Joined: 16 May 2005

one is sarcastic and the other isn't.

"I couldn't care less" or "I couldn't give a shit." - sincere, you don't care.

"I could care less" or "I could give a shit." - sarcastic, saying the opposite of what you really mean in a mocking tone

Bigfeet · Joined: 29 May 2008 Location: Grrrrr.....

"I could care less" is the incorrect version of "I couldn't care less"

JustJohn · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Location: Your computer screen

Czarjorge · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

It's seems rather odd if "I could give a shit" indicates mild interest in a subject or object. Perhaps its meant to indicate extreme excitement, as under extremes you might just shit, but if addressing something you have only mild interest in why would you go to the trouble of shitting?

The verbal irony explanation sounds feasible as well.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

This discusses it, but provides no answer. I think it's really just a mistake, just a misheard phrase, but the way it's said expresses the meaning clearly enough that somehow survived. The sarcasm (and it IS sarcasm) explanation is the most plausible, but I still think it's just a mistake.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

^^

Khenan · Joined: 25 Dec 2007

I've said it and heard it both ways. My take on this situation is that it doesn't really matter given that they're both basically slang, and that the point gets across via either method.