if there's an inflection with appropriate stress, it's a fairly sarcastic play on the phrase. "I could care less" says that they can care a little, but refuse to do so.
however, the way it's used here doesn't generally reflect that. and, if it isn't used in response to direct question about level of care, then it is fully toothless as a phrase.
to be clear, you're right; I'm just playing devil's advocate about how that wording was intended to be used. when it's overused without context, it's a pointless play on words, and generally annoying to see written or spoken.
if there's an inflection with appropriate stress, it's a fairly sarcastic play on the phrase. "I could care less" says that they can care a little, but refuse to do so.
however, the way it's used here doesn't generally reflect that. and, if it isn't used in response to direct question about level of care, then it is fully toothless as a phrase.
to be clear, you're right; I'm just playing devil's advocate about how that wording was intended to be used. when it's overused without context, it's a pointless play on words, and generally annoying to see written or spoken.