The West Wing

The Birnam Wood - S6-E2

Other mistake: During the peace talks between the Arabs and Israelis CJ tells the press that the group had Maryland Crab Cake for lunch. Jews would not eat crab and some Muslims also would not.

The Birnam Wood - S6-E2

Factual error: Near the end of episode 1 in series 6, General Alexander is briefing Leo, and the screen shows the Alpha strike headed east toward Syria from the USS Lincoln, which is depicted as being in the Mediterranean. In episode 2, he briefs the press, telling them that the strike was launched from the Lincoln in the Gulf.

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In Excelsis Deo - S1-E10

Question: This is as good a place to ask as any. In various US TV shows (including this one, and this episode), someone says "I could care less", when they always seem to mean "I couldn't care less", ie. they have no interest in what's going on. Surely if they COULD care less that means they actually care a reasonable amount? Is there any logic to this, or is it just a really annoying innate lack of sense?

Jon Sandys

Chosen answer: A really annoying innate lack of sense. My friends and family say the same thing all the time, and I'm endlessly trying to correct them. I think people just don't know any better and (ironically) couldn't care less that they're speaking incorrectly.

Answer: It's an endlessly annoying dropped negative, and it's been a common colloquialism for far too long. I believe it comes from an original (and now omitted and merely implied) "As if" preceding the statement. "As if I could care less." (Meaning "As if it were possible that I could care even less than I do.") But there's really no way to know.

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