I could care less

[notonthemainstreet]

Why do people say 'I could care less' shouldn't it be 'I couldn't care less'?

AIBU?

It's American I think. I always thought it was short for "I could care less...but I don't"?

This pisses me right off, it’s meant to be “couldn’t care less”

Or like "I could care less but that would be even more extreme than the lack of care I currently have"

Yes, it’s the American version. I think our version makes more sense!

Yes OP, it’s wrong and means the opposite of the intended statement.
Saying one couldn’t care less means that one already doesn’t care at all - there is no level of care below that.
Saying one “could care less” means that one does care, because it is possible to care less than one’s current level.

YANBU! Drives me up he wall

I think Stephen Pinker writes about this in The Language Instinct... I have completely forgotten what he said

Another thing coming is the same.

Can honestly say I have never heard anyone say it (unless they have said it and I misshear thinking they are saying couldn't?).

My children say it I think it’s come from American influence on social media, TikTok etc. Also ‘on accident’ instead of ‘by accident’ which equally drives me mad.

It’s how it’s said over here in the US. My husband is American born and raised and he says it. I’ve tried to explain that “I couldn’t care less” makes more sense (as in “it’s not even possible for me to be any less bothered by this than I already am”) but to no avail.

And don’t get me started on “high-th” for height.

And don’t get me started on “high-th” for height.

That’s how Americans pronounce ‘height’? 😮 Have never heard that (and hope I never will!)

@Horracewimp- I hate ‘on accident’ too.

And yet “on purpose”, which makes little grammatical sense, is universally accepted.

Yes, another “thing/think” coming drives me crackers.

I had never heard anyone say this, then literally just now saw a post where someone wrote it on Facebook. It doesn't make any sense! It's actually really annoying me! 🤣

Yanbu it annoys me

David Mitchell did a rant on this that you might like.

To me I feel it's half a saying. 'I could care less... but it would be hard.'

yes, thank you - this is what I was trying to say 😁

Why are you all hating on "I could care less"? 😉

YANBU. They're muppets.

I have never heard this! Only the standard "couldn't care less"

I've never heard it and the American explanation doesn't make any sense either. I saw your title and thought it was a typo.

Is this a 'thing'? I haven't heard anyone say that.