why do Americans say "I could care less that..." when they really mean (as Brits do and say) "I couldn't care less that..."?

Sarcasm is as American as baseball and apple pie. It's one of our more endearing traits.

World Wide Words has quite a lengthy article on this subject here.

When I tried to point out to a friend that his saying, "I could care less" had the exact opposite meaning of what he intended, he then said, "I could care less about your reasoning."

So there!

Oscar, welcome to the community!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jerry thomas,

Oscar, will Felix be joining us too? Meanwhile, my heartiest felixitations.

As to care less, please see the last few words quoted in my post here

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hic et ubique:
Oscar, will Felix be joining us too? Meanwhile, my heartiest _felixitations._



<shudder>
Hic, I formally sentence you to the Punitentiery.

WB,
Howdy! Good to see you.. what an odd coupling of words for us.

Welcome, Oscar... also!!

May Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau R.I.P.

Welcome, Oscar! And, another Brit besides!

Now, my opinion on "I could care less" is different from the others expressed here. First, it is a big pet peeve of mine. But, secondly, I think it is because of ignorance. As we have debated occasionally here, I think Americans just aren't as careful with grammar and words as the Brits are (I will exclude jheem from that, though he did live abroad for awhile. ). While the Brits may make an apostrophe error (such as the St. Thomas' Hospital), they then discuss why it should be s's or that it's really St. Thomases'....while Americans will say, "Oh, what difference does it make."

It is maddening!