Good-fer-Nothin’ (Good-for-Nothing)

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "good-fer-nothin’" is a common saying that means worthless, lazy, or no good. It’s one of the sharpest insults for someone who won’t pull their weight.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Definitely good-fer-nothin’ is one of those everday slangs.

Pronunciation

[GUHD-fer-NUH-thin]

Meaning & Usage

- Worthless, no good person (saying)

Mae:

That boy’s a good-fer-nothin’ if I ever saw one.

Earl:

Ain’t lifted a finger since he got here.

- Lazy or useless thing (saying)

Mae:

That’s a good-fer-nothin’ truck.

Earl:

Won’t start even with a new battery.

★ "Good-fer-nothin’" is harsh. It’s almost always about people - and it cuts deep, hitting both laziness and worthlessness at once. ★

Origin

From older English expressions like "good for nothing" dating back to the 1600s. In Appalachia and the South, it shifted into the slurred, sharper "good-fer-nothin’."

Notes

Still common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially among older generations. Often said about men seen as lazy or irresponsible, but can apply to things too.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it plain: "good-fer-nothin’." The "for" turns to "fer," and "nothing" drops to "nothin’."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is it always an insult?

Yes - "good-fer-nothin’" is meant to put someone (or something) down.

Is it different from "no count"?

Very similar - both mean worthless, but "good-fer-nothin’" is harsher and more biting.

Do people still say it today?

Absolutely, though you’ll hear it most among older speakers or when someone’s real frustrated.