the ongoing English usage

[sistermagpie]

> > Catlady: 
> > > "I could care less." That phrase still irritates me, 
> > 
> > Carol responds:
> > 
> > Yes! That's the very one. If you could care less, then what are 
you
> > complaining about? 
> 
> Mike adds:
> I used to respond to someone using that phrase: "Really? How much 
> less?" Of course, they'd look at me dumbfoundedly, as they didn't 
> understand the faux pas, so they didn't understand the inquiry.
> 
> Nowadays, I let it grate on me silently, just as I don't respond 
> to "irregardless" anymore. Gawd, that one still bothers me.

Magpie:
I'll have to remember that one! I don't know why that phrase bugs me 
so much too, but it does. I remember somebody trying to explain how 
they both work equally well. Um...they both say exactly the same 
thing.

I think some people assume that there's supposed to be some sort of 
implied "as if" in there. Like, "AS IF I could care less about this!" 
But that's not the way people say it.

-m