4 ms·

Webster doesn't mention any change in use, simply: "care less : not to care — used positively and negatively with the same meaning <I could care less what happ

• taneq 9y ago
  The first doesn't mean the same as the second, though. O.o
  • e12e 9y ago
    (On the off-chance you're not being tounge in cheek): No, "used positively and negatively with the same meaning", as in the two differently phrased idioms mean the same thing: http://www.dictionary.com/e/could-care-less/ http://www.dictionary.com/e/could-care-less/ http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2016/04/05/the_real_reason_people_say_i_could_care_less.html http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2016/04/05/the_rea... https://xkcd.com/1576/ https://xkcd.com/1576/ (!)
    • e12e 9y ago
      I suppose, these days, for the sake of clarifying that I'm being sarcastic, I should just start saying: "I cloud care less".
      • taneq 9y ago
        To be perfectly honest, I'm kind of 50/50 between a genuine vexation with "could care less" being semantically wrong, and a cheerful agreement that usage defines meaning. The world's inconsistent and so occasionally, in response, am I. :P
        • Asooka 9y ago
          Just use I'd'nt careless.
    • vorg 9y ago
      > the different intonations used in saying “I couldn’t care less” versus “I could care less.” [dictionary.com link] > people who say “I could care less” are omitting the first part: “Like I could care less,” [Slate link] These quotes seem to sum up those links.
• styfle 9y ago
  I could or couldn't care less. The material is very flammable or inflammable. https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/flammable-or-inflammable https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/flammable-or-i... English is confusing.