This one doesn't so much annoy me as confuse me....perhaps an American can explain it for me?...

In the UK, when we don't care about something we say "I couldn't care less" i.e.

Work Colleauge: "Hey Baz, David Beckham has had an affair with his mother's dentist's housemaid's sister and they've been sending each other dirty text messages! What do you think of that then!"

Me: "I couldn't care less"

Whereas in America (and please bear in mind that the only Americans I hear speak are on TV) people say "I COULD care less". But, if you COULD care less, it means that you do care a bit. Doesn't it? But if you COULDN'T care less, then you really DON'T CARE. The most recent example of this was on some cop show (maybe CSI).

Desk Sergent: "Hey, the DI says that you'd better get some evidence together pronto or he'll have your ass!" (I paraphase of course. You can see now why I never became a professional scriptwriter.)

Hero: "I could care less"

Please cold someone explain this?

Thanks,

Baz (Pedant)