This month I tackle the ever-so-often misused expression "I could care less." Instead of my explanation, I will use one from the TV show "Fairly Legal". In the episode entitled "Borderline",
Ben Grogan, a lawyer at mediator Kate Reed's workplace, who is interested in Kate, learns that she has rekindled a relationship with her ex-husband. Ben says to Leo, Kate's assistant, "I could care less if she's sleeping with him." Leo responds, "Couldn't care less. Could care less indicates you care enough to care less. Of course, how much less you could care depends on how much you do care, which is ..." Ben jumps in with, "Zero! And you can't care less than zero." [Eureka!]
Still confused? Perhaps watching this video of John Cleese explaining the difference will help.
Could care less - YouTube
In the meantime, here are some examples of when people probably could not care any less than they do at that moment, but they say that they could. Read on...
Example: On the November 14, 2012 Steve Harvey daytime talk show, financial advisor
Jeff Motske talks to engaged couple Todd and Christine after they took a financial compatibility test.
To Christine he says, "I got a feeling you enjoy spread sheets and having everything exactly the way it is, love lists and love all the things that come with that..." To Todd he says, "...and you could care less." I'll bet he could not care any less about their finances. Good luck in their marriage.
In the meantime, here are some examples of when people probably could not care any less than they do at that moment, but they say that they could. Read on...
Example: On the November 14, 2012 Steve Harvey daytime talk show, financial advisor
Jeff Motske talks to engaged couple Todd and Christine after they took a financial compatibility test.
To Christine he says, "I got a feeling you enjoy spread sheets and having everything exactly the way it is, love lists and love all the things that come with that..." To Todd he says, "...and you could care less." I'll bet he could not care any less about their finances. Good luck in their marriage.
Example: In Janet Evanovich's novel High Five, narrator and heroine Stephanie Plum says about her sometimes boyfriend, "Well who cares about Morelli, anyway? Not me. I could care less." If she is truly disinterested, then she could not care any less about him since she cares so little now. But my guess is that she truly does.
Example: First year attorney Martina Garetti on the TV show "Made in Jersey" helped settle a case and offers the award to her client. When he thanks her, she says, "No need. We get some of that too." Her colleague adds, "Don't worry. She could care less about the money." She probably could since she doesn't work for free.
Example: On the premiere episode of season 3 of "Downton Abbey", mother of the groom Isobel Crawley whispers to her son Matthew about his future brother-in-law, who used to be the family chauffeur. She says, "No one could care less were Branson at the wedding or not." Speaking with an English accent makes this sound posh and correct, but it is not.
Sometimes, the phrase is said a bit differently, but the content is still the same. Witness...
Example: In the "Bad Seeds" episode of TV's "Vegas", Sheriff Lamb investigates several murders linked to the Chicago mob. He goes to see casino owner Vinnie Savino, who may be involved. Savino says to Lamb, "I doubt you've come here to express your concern for my safety." The sheriff replies, "I could give a damn about your safety." Same thought, different vocabulary.
Example: Sheriff Longmire [I know, another sheriff. I love cop shows.] on TV's "Longmire", speaks to a veterinarian about the accusation of a rodeo bronco rider using electric shocks on his horses. The vet says, "Most sponsors, they could give a damn if a rider tortures broncs as long as that rider brings home purses." I wish they would give a damn about those poor horses.
Now here are some examples of the proper usage of this expression.
Example: In Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins' second novel of the Hunger Games, heroine Katniss Everdeen says, "I get the distinct feeling that they're not comfortable with the camaraderie among the victors, who couldn't seem to care less." Bravo, Ms. Collins. Well spoken, Katniss.
Example: John Grisham's novel The Litigators has attorneys Wally Figg and David Zinc interviewing a prospective client for a class action suit. "'David went to Harvard Law, and he's just joined our firm, 'Wally said... She could not have cared less where David, Wally, or anyone else went to college or law school..." This is true, she just wants to be able to get some money out of the suit.
Example: On a "Downton Abbey" season 2 episode, youngest daughter Sybil plans to elope with the chauffeur. She repeats to her father, the lord of the manor, what he had said to her, "I won't be received in London. I won't be welcome at court. How do I make you understand? I couldn't care less." Now here, the British accent is well received in our living rooms and she does sound rather posh.
Example: In People Magazine, dated December 17, 2012, I read an article about former Bachelorette Ashley Hebert and her betrothed, J.P. Rosenbaum. When rain threatened their wedding, the article said, "By the time Hebert walked down the aisle, her groom couldn't have cared less about the weather." I congratulate the newlyweds, and the reporter.
In conclusion, I don't care (more or less) how much you care. But if you wish to show that you care
not at all, by all means use the correct phrase and say, "I could not care less..."
