Here's an interesting discussion on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/2rgl7i/how_did_i_dont_give_a_shit_become_synonymous_with/ https://www.re

Here's an interesting discussion on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/2rgl7i/how_did_i_dont_give_a_shit_become_synonymous_with/ https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/2rgl7i/how_did_i... Further down is the suggestion that "give" in the phrase, means "care". Which it does, in part, but as the way language goes, so many words and phrases have double meanings that merge to make one subtle meaning. "I couldn't give a toss," is a common variant. As is, "I couldn't give a flying fuck." But neither has the positive version in the same way — you don't normally give a toss about something specific, and a flying fuck is never positive. But, interestingly, you can give a toss in general. English, as you have realised, has layers of weirdness and subtle traps.