digression on slang

Bill Hamilton (hamilton@predator.cs.gmr.com)
Tue, 24 Sep 1996 15:07:21 -0400

Jim Bell wrote

(Quoting Denis L)
<< Most know little about Charles Darwin and most could care less.>>

This was my point: The term "could care less" is sloppy, conveying precisely
the OPPOSITE of what is intended. The correct phrase, of course, is "couldn't
care less" (and I assume many of you couldn't care less that this drives me
crazy). But every now and then, a little blow for the King's English is in
order.

I agree with you, Jim, but the term "I could care less" seems to have a
long history. I first ran into it in ROTC summer camp in 1963. It seemed
to be a very popular phrase among the officers, and the emphasis was placed
on "care" and "less". The meaning seemed to be "I _could_ care even less
than I do, but the difference would be insignificant." I got so used to it
that the correct terminology grater on me. I solve the problem by not
using either variant.

Bill Hamilton | Chassis & Vehicle Systems
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