"I could care less" reminds the listener of your human compassion as an American. You are essentially telling him or her, "as you can tell from my clearly stated opinion, I do not care very much at all about this subject I am referring to. However, let us never forget that--if I wanted to--I could care even less." As we are sometimes prone to speak in hyperbole, e.g. "people who park crooked like that should be disembowelled and set on fire" (when a jail term would obviously suffice, given the spectre of rape), "I could care less" is an institutional phrase that compels us to remember our power must be tempered with mercy, which is expressed in the form of restrained indifference. Just as there is no real limit to justice/revenge beyond the constructs of liberal rhetoric, apathy is an abyss that must be skirted prudently. Without care, one could, without realizing it, become so indifferent to a subject that he or she neglects to even opine about it. On a large scale, this would threaten the core dynamic of what it is to be American: the unstoppable force of limitless guidance checked only by the immovable object of absolute unreceptivity to the guidance of others. "I could care less" is an enshrinement of self-discipline.
"I could care less but will not, for to care any less would render this subject unworthy of my spoken opinion."
--George Washington
--George Washington
by Stormy McCloud June 7, 2012
This means I dont care. If someone takes this phrase in the literal sense, then they will ask you "Do you mean I couldn't care less? However, the speaker of the phrase fully understands the meaning as, I dont care.
Michael: How do you feel about religion?
Paul: I could care less.
Michael:Do you mean you couldn't care less.
Paul:Yes but in the general sense I mean that I dont care.
Paul: I could care less.
Michael:Do you mean you couldn't care less.
Paul:Yes but in the general sense I mean that I dont care.
by Princeoftheheavenlyhosts September 6, 2015
According to most people, a stupid phrase that means the opposite of what's intended.
According to a few people, a sarcastic way to say you really couldn't care less.
Probably what was originally intended is a phrase like "I could give a shit," just a little more subtle than "I don't give a shit." Or "I could give a damn." So they could care less, but they still don't care.
According to a few people, a sarcastic way to say you really couldn't care less.
Probably what was originally intended is a phrase like "I could give a shit," just a little more subtle than "I don't give a shit." Or "I could give a damn." So they could care less, but they still don't care.
Melissa: But we have to hurry back or we'll miss the final of American Idol!
Sam: I could care less about that, just as long as we don't miss Glee!
Sam: I could care less about that, just as long as we don't miss Glee!
by Olypoly June 27, 2011
A sarcastic phrase meaning "as if I could care less about this."
Stupid people often complain about this phrase, insisting that "I couldn't care less" should be used instead. This is because they fail to realize that "I could care less" is an appropriate and historically popular idiom that dates back to the 1960s.
The very same morons will probably tell you, "But if you could care less, that means you actually cared about it at least a little bit in the first place." That is because the sarcasm is lost on them. Should you hear this, just smile and enjoy knowing that you are speaking to someone of low intelligence.
Stupid people often complain about this phrase, insisting that "I couldn't care less" should be used instead. This is because they fail to realize that "I could care less" is an appropriate and historically popular idiom that dates back to the 1960s.
The very same morons will probably tell you, "But if you could care less, that means you actually cared about it at least a little bit in the first place." That is because the sarcasm is lost on them. Should you hear this, just smile and enjoy knowing that you are speaking to someone of low intelligence.
Pete: "Did you hear? Jenny got AIDS!"
Reggie: "I could care less, man."
Pete: "Haha, you mean 'I couldn't care less.'"
Reggie: "No I don't. You're retarded."
Reggie: "I could care less, man."
Pete: "Haha, you mean 'I couldn't care less.'"
Reggie: "No I don't. You're retarded."
by derrickwayne May 15, 2011
A way of checking on whether or not the person you're talking to is a fussy-prissy sort of person, or can actually pick up on sarcasm.
(A girl in an awful outfit walks by.)
"She looks **amazing**."
"I know. I love how **everything** she's wearing goes **perfectly** together."
(Someone talks about something nobody cares about.)
"**I could care less.**"
"Don't you mean, 'I couldn't care less.' ?"
"Sure. Hey, you know what? Your outfit is **fantastic**."
"Thanks!"
"She looks **amazing**."
"I know. I love how **everything** she's wearing goes **perfectly** together."
(Someone talks about something nobody cares about.)
"**I could care less.**"
"Don't you mean, 'I couldn't care less.' ?"
"Sure. Hey, you know what? Your outfit is **fantastic**."
"Thanks!"
by LovetteCher March 7, 2013
An ironic, sarcastic, irreverent take on the original hyperbole, "I couldn't care less." Contrary to some opinions, there is nothing incorrect about this version. It's just a sarcastic reference to the original that, over time, became so commonplace that people forgot it was sarcastic.
I feel like I should say something supportive. The most I can muster is that I guess I could care less.
by The Yar February 13, 2018
Sometimes misinterpretation by “couldn’t care less”. Could care less is the correct option. Considering that “i couldn’t care less” means they care already, but can’t care any less than they already do. Now, “could care less” means they don’t care at all, so they dont care any less.
by koolwiz May 8, 2018