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> One of the detractors was an archaeologist with a background in Egyptology from the University of Queensland, Dr. Serena Love. “I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’

> One of the detractors was an archaeologist with a background in Egyptology from the University of Queensland, Dr. Serena Love. “I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’ I don’t have an Xbox, I could care less about Xboxes,” says Dr. Love. Couldn't care less. Dr. ...

washadjeffmad 6y ago
Perhaps the only thing he cares less about is pedantry.
joshspankit 6y ago
You’re assuming the level of care the Dr. has. Maybe she specifically means to say that she could care less.
- radoslawc 6y ago
  Probably in the same way as people specifically mean 'you're' when they write 'your' ;)
- executesorder66 6y ago
  No, because then there would be no need to point out how much she cares. She specifically said that to highlight how little she cares for it, but said the phrase incorrectly.
ogogmad 6y ago
"could care less" is sarcasm.
- _iyig 6y ago
  It's also a nonsensical expression which some English speakers (rather good-naturedly) find bothersome, as comedian David Mitchell explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw
  - radoslawc 6y ago
    I was going to post that video. but got distracted with work. I absolutely love David Mitchell.
  - ogogmad 6y ago
    I know what it means and it could be interpreted as a sarcastic expression - so there's nothing to be bothered by.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
dangero 6y ago
Webster says either are acceptable now: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/could-couldnt-care-less https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/could-couldnt-...
- tjs8rj 6y ago
  But if it doesn’t square with the rest of the language, especially since negating it somehow still means the same thing, can we really accept it even if some grand institution like “Merriam Webster” adds it to the collection? I guess I’m a soft prescriptivist
- rozab 6y ago
  Quoting an authorities opinion on this matter is kind of oxymoronic when their opinion is that this isn't something to be dictated by authority. One wonders if it isn't slightly self-sabotaging of them to take this position.
abstractbarista 6y ago
Whenever I hear this I automatically think "Oh, so you have stated you care a certain amount. This amount is greater than zero. Therefore, you are stating you do care?"

washadjeffmad 6y ago

Perhaps the only thing he cares less about is pedantry.

joshspankit 6y ago

You’re assuming the level of care the Dr. has. Maybe she specifically means to say that she could care less.

radoslawc 6y ago
Probably in the same way as people specifically mean 'you're' when they write 'your' ;)
executesorder66 6y ago
No, because then there would be no need to point out how much she cares. She specifically said that to highlight how little she cares for it, but said the phrase incorrectly.

ogogmad 6y ago

"could care less" is sarcasm.

_iyig 6y ago
It's also a nonsensical expression which some English speakers (rather good-naturedly) find bothersome, as comedian David Mitchell explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw
- radoslawc 6y ago
  I was going to post that video. but got distracted with work. I absolutely love David Mitchell.
- ogogmad 6y ago
  I know what it means and it could be interpreted as a sarcastic expression - so there's nothing to be bothered by.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

dangero 6y ago

Webster says either are acceptable now: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/could-couldnt-care-less https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/could-couldnt-...

tjs8rj 6y ago
But if it doesn’t square with the rest of the language, especially since negating it somehow still means the same thing, can we really accept it even if some grand institution like “Merriam Webster” adds it to the collection? I guess I’m a soft prescriptivist
rozab 6y ago
Quoting an authorities opinion on this matter is kind of oxymoronic when their opinion is that this isn't something to be dictated by authority. One wonders if it isn't slightly self-sabotaging of them to take this position.

abstractbarista 6y ago

Whenever I hear this I automatically think "Oh, so you have stated you care a certain amount. This amount is greater than zero. Therefore, you are stating you do care?"