MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why do Americans say they 'could care less'

Daithi · 05-04-2009, 08:49 PM

I think it's a combination of sloppiness and that some of us Americans get confused by the word "not".

I remember being a kid and getting in trouble (a common occurance) and my dad would say something like "You don't want a spanking do you?"

I was never sure how to answer that question. If I said "Yes" I was afraid he would think I wanted the spanking. I was pretty sure my dad wanted to hear me say "No," but even when I was 5 or 6 I knew something wasn't quite right.

05-04-2009, 08:49 PM	#70
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	I think it's a combination of sloppiness and that some of us Americans get confused by the word "not". I remember being a kid and getting in trouble (a common occurance) and my dad would say something like "You don't want a spanking do you?" I was never sure how to answer that question. If I said "Yes" I was afraid he would think I wanted the spanking. I was pretty sure my dad wanted to hear me say "No," but even when I was 5 or 6 I knew something wasn't quite right.