A language question
#16
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: A language question
I've always heard it as "I could care less". I think it developed from a longer phrase, for example "As if I could care less" or something like that. A google search for ["i could care less" etymology] came up with lots and lots of articles and discussions, but many of them are pretty heavy reading. Here's a good one, though, which gives some other examples of similar nonsensical English phrases.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-i-...-less-mean.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-i-...-less-mean.htm
#23
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
#25
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
#26
Re: A language question
Just this morning I heard a similar thing that always drives me nuts on the radio. The guy said, "Well, the proof will be in the pudding," causing me to yell back, "No, the proof of the pudding is IN THE EATING!" (Sorry, had to shout.) It's as if they think the proof is something hidden in the pudding -- like an old sixpence in the Christmas pud.
#27
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: A language question
Yeah, a lot of them get shortened over time. I like "Happy as a clam" which used to be "happy as a clam at high tide"...which of course is when clams cannot be dug up by clam diggers.
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: A language question
It's a bit like 'money is the root of all evil" which should be "the love of money is the root of all evil"
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Re: A language question
'I could care less' does my nut in. I have never posted on this site before but this is the subject that has drawn me out of my lurking. I take it you've all seen this 100 times already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw
#30
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 104
Re: A language question
Hehe, thanks everyone, that's quite enlightening. I'l send my friend the link to this thread.