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I don't buy that theory. I'm fairly sensitive to intonation, and have never heard it intoned in the manner you suggest. I think it's more likely that people
by pohl 17y ago
I don't buy that theory. I'm fairly sensitive to intonation, and have never heard it intoned in the manner you suggest.
I think it's more likely that people parrot the sounds without thinking of the words and/or the meaning. Compare to "for all intensive purposes", for example.
- thras 17y agoMaybe it's regional. Regardless, Stephen Pinker discusses the intonation of "could care less" in The Language Instinct.
- aristoxenus 17y ago"I couldn't care less" is the literal way to state the sentiment, but it sounds weak and petulant compared to the idiom. There are multiple intonations that could potentially achieve the sarcastic effect, but the common one is just a flat dismissive delivery. I agree with your observation of that common mechanism for mangling English, though. The mis-quote you mention is particularly embarrassing to behold.
- mr_justin 17y agoThat's fine if you don't buy it, but it still seems to be an accepted idiom.
- Radix 17y agoSomehow I hadn't noticed 'intensive purposes', so thanks. Recently I have found the use of 'practically' as a replacement for 'pretty much' irksome. We have plenty of words for that and no more to indicate 'for practical purposes'. As others have pointed out: language is meant to be understood. It would be enough to always take the meaning from a speaker, except if we do that chronically, we begin to lose words. Which will make communication more difficult when you need those specialized meanings. Bother.
- jwhite 17y agoIf you're a fan of Strunk & White, you can usually do without "pretty much" as well. What does it add?