I couldn’t care less or I could care less.

[EffYouSeeKaye]

When not bothered in the slightest about something, I have always said ‘I couldn’t care less’. This expression makes logical sense to me.

However, more and more now I see ‘I could care less’ used instead, in the same context.

So have I been using this expression incorrectly all my life? Or is this a new wrong thing?

A vital issue, I’m sure you’ll agree.

I could care less is ( I think) more common in the US.

I think 'I could care less' is a modern variation based on irony. It's not something I ever say, I stick to the traditional version.

‘I could care less’ should mean the opposite of how people use it.

It should definitely be "I couldn't care less".

It just shows that people parrot expressions (what they think they hear) without thinking about what they mean.

Couldn't care less.

Those who say could care less are moronic and infuriating.

"I couldn't care less" is correct. You don't care about x thing, and are not bothered that you don't care.

"I could care less" is wrong, it suggests you do care. Seems to be used in the USA, and is creeping it's way over here.

It’s “I couldn’t care less”. The other (as others have said, US version) means the reverse of what it is supposed to!

It should be obvious surely? You’re saying it in the context of “not giving a shit” about something.
If you say you “could not care less”, you’re saying that you don’t care at all about it, meaning you couldn’t possibly care even less than that.
If on the other hand you say you COULD care less, then apparently you DO care about it a bit - because you could possibly care less than this.
The only logical alternative is the first - I couldn’t care less!

I could care less drives me scatty.

‘I could care less’ is a bloody stupid and nonsensical expression that I couldn’t care less about...

As PPs have said, and don’t fucking start me on the current level of ‘everyday’.

Ie level of misuse. See. Blood pressure raised so much at the thought that I can’t type.

I could care less is ( I think) more common in the US.

This. It also makes no sense in the context where you would say "couldn't care less".

I could care less = I care a lot
I couldn't care less = I don't care at all

I’m not a violent or bad tempered person but when someone says “I could care less” it makes me want to punch them in the face.

One of my teen relatives has started saying “Well you should try caring less if you care so much then. Me, personally? I COULDN’T care less”.

Cue look of confusion.

It should be obvious surely?

You would think so, wouldn’t you Babdoc and yet it’s creeping into the language nevertheless. It’s infuriating.

☝️

My American friends often say "I could care less" because they see it as a sarcastic response. I think in the UK we mean it literally, rather than sarcastically which accounts for the difference maybe? I find the American idea of sarcasm is different to the UK idea of sarcasm.

It's just people hearing it incorrectly and parroting it rather than engaging their brains and speaking properly. Drives me crazy

I couldn't care less is correct.

I could care less is American common usage. It make no sense to me because like others said it implies you do actually care quite a lot.

AS I understood it the american expression 'I could care less' has a subtext of 'but I cant be bothered'. This is unspoken but assumed to be understood by the listener.

Until I heard about this explanation I was baffled about why it even existed as a saying but now I like it.

It's always funny watching British people totally fail to understand sarcasm.

Couldn't

I love that, Gin