A rat's
arse is usually something you don't give. So, if someone says "I don't give a rat's
arse!" it's just another
way of saying "I couldn'
t care less!" or "I don't give a fuck!"
However, it is possible to give a rat's
arse, too. Many years ago a meteorological (Met) colleague working at an Antarctic base opened a crate of equipment that had been shipped to the base many months previous. Inside was the severed body of a dead rat. The rear end was put on display somewhere together with the sign: "Who gives a rat's arse? Met do!"
"I think I've left my homework on the
train. Oh
well, I couldn't give a rat's
arse. It was bullshit anyway."