otto (02/06/83)
I have long considered the phrase "I could care less" to be a particularly interesting example of intensification in English. By intensification is meant that an idea is made more acute by the way it is expressed. There are many ways of intensifying in English: by the use of the word *very*, by stressing a word (indicated by tone or volume of voice, by underlining or otherwise demarking a written word), etc. The idea of "I couldn't care less," however, is one that suffers somewhat from any attempt to intensify it by traditional means, since such intensification indicates a degree of caring that weakens the essential message. Expressing the idea by means of the phrase "I could care less" -- usually delivered apathetically -- accomplishes this intensification by the remarkable act of *withdrawing* intensity almost completely. Even the effort to express the idea correctly has been withdrawn. The literal meaning of the phrase is clearly the reverse of what the person intends to say, so we are somewhat "caught short" on hearing it (thus intensifying the thought by forcing us to focus on it more than we otherwise might). The person using the expression is actually saying "I care so little about this topic I don't even care if I say it right. So there!" Thus, by intensifying their *lack* of concern for the topic, they really convince listeners that they don't give a damn about it. I would be interested in hearing about other "nonstandard" intensifiers in English, i.e., intensifiers that are used in only one or two phrases or situations in English communication. George Otto Bell Labs, Indian Hill ----------------------