good-for-nuthin’
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "good-for-nuthin’" 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.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Definitely good-for-nuthin’ is one of those everday slangs. Pronunciation
[GUHD-fer-NUH-thin]
Meaning & Usage
- Worthless, no good person (saying)
Mae:
That boy’s a good-for-nuthin’ if I ever saw one.
That boy’s a good-for-nuthin’ if I ever saw one.
Earl:
Ain’t lifted a finger since he got here.
Ain’t lifted a finger since he got here.- Lazy or useless thing (saying)
Mae:
That’s a good-for-nuthin’ truck.
That’s a good-for-nuthin’ truck.
Earl:
Won’t start even with a new battery.
Won’t start even with a new battery.other spellings: good for nothing, good fer nothing, good fer nuthin’, worthless, lazy, and no good
★ "Good-for-nuthin’" 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-for-nuthin’."
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-nuthin’." The "for" turns to "fer," and "nothing" drops to "nuthin’."