"Grammar is about structure, not what is implied (or inferred)."


Yes, and "language" is about what is implied and what is inferred. Grammar is not the only factor involved in communication.

Language is the systematic creation and usage of systems of symbols —each referring to linguistic concepts with semantic or logical or otherwise expressive meanings.

Communication is the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs. Communication sometimes has nothing to do with grammar.



That being said, it bugs the CRAP outta me when somebody says, "I could care less."






In reply to this comment by Bullwinkle:
"Yep, mixed up imply/infer and didn't reread my post. Whoopee, what a tame and insanely common mistake. Notice how I can admit where I'm wrong instead of kicking the air like a mule."

A common mistake and a big one. It also discredits your whole "English Major" trumpeting.

"What an amazingly thorough rebuttal, just stubbornly asserting the opposite without addressing the logic of my post. Why would anyone interpret that you cared enough to give a preference unless an actual preference followed? Explain. Your entire argument rests on this. For "I could care less" to imply caring when the opposite was intended, it has to be inferred that way by the person to whom it's spoken."

I doon't have to write a dissertation (or 100 formal papers) to make a point, though I clearly have to illustrate it again, since you boiled it down to your point instead of mine.

Grammar is about structure, not what is implied (or inferred). So, yes, the speaker may intend to say they couldn't care less when they say, "I could care less," but that is not what they're saying, even if the listener understood what they meant. As another example, people may know what you mean when you use a double negative, that doesn't make it correct.

taboo?? What the fuck!!?, you'll make a good lawyer someday...that's right, fire people because of the knee-jerk reactions of others...The world needs less bullshit reasoning, and more arm-locks and mitts!!

In reply to your comment:
“Tigger doesn't seem to be falling to me. The kid does seem to be making some sort of smart comment just before things go down, however, these "cast members" are trained to take that stuff. Tigger's reaction, locking the arm in place, seems to be automatic and likely a knee-jerk response to a zipper being pulled down (showing the humans beneath the costumes is one of the big taboos for employees). The other hand seems to come around to me as part of the spin to avoid getting the zipper pulled, and I think the hit is accidental. If it's not accidental, however, Tigger broke the other big taboo and should be let go, no matter how much of a smart ass that kid was being.”