a phrase that angers prescriptivists. apparently people hate this idiom because it means the exact opposite of what it means if you take it literally. but that's the problem, you're taking idioms literally and expecting them to be logical. that's not how idioms work.
person 1: i could care less
person 2: you mean "i couldn't care less"? "i could care less" means that you do care to some extent. learn english lul
person 1: apparently you do not know how idioms work.
person 2: it's not an idiom it's a phrase made up by the uneducated english speakers who don't know how to speak their language lululul my variety of language is clearly superior to others
person 1: ok prescriptivist
person 2: you mean "i couldn't care less"? "i could care less" means that you do care to some extent. learn english lul
person 1: apparently you do not know how idioms work.
person 2: it's not an idiom it's a phrase made up by the uneducated english speakers who don't know how to speak their language lululul my variety of language is clearly superior to others
person 1: ok prescriptivist
by Crihn Bowonib May 06, 2021
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 06, 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 07, 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 08, 2018