How about without a shred of doubt?

sounds kind of weird. the reason i'm asking is because i want to leave that comment on a youtube vid (without looking like an idiot for not speaking inglisch väry wäll):

that was without a shred of a doubt the most retarded thing i've ever seen... 5* + fav =D

If you don't believe me, you can try googling or look up "shred" in one of the many free online dictionaries. http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/shred_1

@me
Believe CM2DD :)

@me: has to be "without a shred of doubt" but "without the shred of a doubt", often with "slightest" or "least" for emphasis. You'll score more points by avoiding the word "retarded", though.

stu22, I'd say "beyond the shadow of a doubt", but for me it has to be "without a shred of doubt", no "the" or "a" at all.
"Retarded" may possibly be just the word to suit the recipient or writer of this comment, although I know what you mean!

"without a shred of doubt" sounds fine to me.

"retarded" also sounds fine. It's intended as a mildly humorous put-down (an insult), and that's how it sounds. (It's not a serious word in this context - the kind of word a young teenager might use.)

CM2DD: Damn. I've found a few (hundred) instances but, distressingly, nothing that authoritative. Still sounds ok to me though, especially with the "slightest" slipped in. How about if I lay "hardly the shred of a doubt" on the table? That's G.K. Chesterton... :-)