Could You Care Less?

Expressing one’s lack of interest in something while adding just a hint of contempt is a skill all should master. That very thing brings us to today’s quick writing/speaking tip.

Whether you’re talking about your lack of interest in Charlie Sheen’s circus act, some wag’s snarky review of your new book or that weird guy with the chalkboard on cable; you say “I couldn’t care less.”

This is the more polite and less pretentious version of “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Many people mistakenly write or say “I could care less.” That’s not correct.

Saying “I could care less” signifies that you actually have the capacity to care even less, therefore defeating the whole point of your rejoinder.

So remember, when you comment on this blog post, say “I couldn’t care less, Alex.” That is, unless you actually can care a little less, then you say “I could care less, Alex.”

Though if you do I will think you are merely being careless.