"Could care less" or "couldn't care less"?

[Bazle]

These phrases, meant to communicate that someone doesn’t care about something, are often used interchangeably, even though only one of them technically conveys the intended meaning.

“I couldn’t care less” is the correct way to express having complete apathy toward something. When someone says, “I could care less,” they’re actually saying that they do care because there are other things they care less about. Usually, when someone says “I could care less,” they are actually trying to say the opposite.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/couldnt-care-less/#:~:text=“I couldn't care less” is the correct way,things they care less about.

English teachers and grammarians will say that "could care less" is wrong because it should mean the opposite of "couldn't care less." Logically, if you could care less, it means you do care some. But in informal speech people often use "could care less" to mean they don’t care at all.

"Couldn’t care less" and "could care less" are both used to mean someone doesn’t care at all, but English teachers and grammarians will say that only "couldn't care less" is correct, so that is what you should use in formal or academic writing.

https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/What-is-the-Difference-between-I-Couldn-t-Care-Less-and-I-Could-Care-Less-#:~:text="Couldn't care less" and "could care less,in formal or academic writing.

[KWA]

I thought it was just the USA used could care less and the rest of the world knew better?

[Nightcrawler]

33 minutes ago, Bazle said:

These phrases, meant to communicate that someone doesn’t care about something, are often used interchangeably, even though only one of them technically conveys the intended meaning.

“I couldn’t care less” is the correct way to express having complete apathy toward something. When someone says, “I could care less,” they’re actually saying that they do care because there are other things they care less about. Usually, when someone says “I could care less,” they are actually trying to say the opposite.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/couldnt-care-less/#:~:text=“I couldn't care less” is the correct way,things they care less about.

English teachers and grammarians will say that "could care less" is wrong because it should mean the opposite of "couldn't care less." Logically, if you could care less, it means you do care some. But in informal speech people often use "could care less" to mean they don’t care at all.

"Couldn’t care less" and "could care less" are both used to mean someone doesn’t care at all, but English teachers and grammarians will say that only "couldn't care less" is correct, so that is what you should use in formal or academic writing.

https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/What-is-the-Difference-between-I-Couldn-t-Care-Less-and-I-Could-Care-Less-#:~:text="Couldn't care less" and "could care less,in formal or academic writing.

I normally say, "I don't give a f*ck" which I find more explicit 😁😁

[Freee!!]

33 minutes ago, Nightcrawler said:

I normally say, "I don't give a f*ck" which I find more explicit 😁😁

"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

[Lirchenfeld]

[Pumpuynarak]

[redwood13]

"I could care less.", said by an NCO, slowly with a bit of a Southern drawl.  First heard in the Army in 1960.

A variant of this is the pseudo-German said by soldiers also in the early '60s,  "Mox nix to me."

[tommy dee]

mach nichts.. indeed, means nothing to me, doesnt matter.  and yes, only a s mall  proportion get it wrong and dont say couldn't   i

[boydeste]

On 5/27/2024 at 1:50 PM, KWA said:

I thought it was just the USA used could care less and the rest of the world knew better?

I have noticed many guys from the US say that too.

Everyone else usually say it correctly. 

[roomark]

Up to you

[Aqualung]

A better substitute would be " I don't give a fxxk". 

You can't get clearer than that. 

[forcebwithu]

Or, you do you and I'll do me.

[bob lt]

13 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Or, you do you and I'll do me.

I prefer you do you and I'll do her  

[KhunDon]

On 5/30/2024 at 12:40 AM, forcebwithu said:

Or, you do you and I'll do me.

I tried that once and ended up in hospital in traction. 🤪