no count
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "no count" means worthless, useless, or no good. It’s a clipped form of "no account," a term that once meant someone of little worth or low standing.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Absolutely you'll hear 'no count' around here as a description. You might also hear 'ain't no count.' Pronunciation
[NOH-count]
Meaning & Usage
- No good, worthless (adjective)
Earl:
Mae:
Told ya. That boy never did pull his weight.
Told ya. That boy never did pull his weight.other spellings: no account, worthless, sorry, and good-for-nothing
★ Calling somebody "no count" goes beyond lazy - it cuts at their character. It’s not polite talk, but you’ll still hear it when someone’s let folks down one too many times. ★
Origin
"No account" shows up in 18th-19th century American English, meaning of little value. In Southern and Appalachian speech, it slurred down to "no count," and carried a sharper edge of judgment.
Notes
Still common in Appalachia and the South, often used by older generations. You’ll hear it for people ("he’s no count") or sometimes things ("that mower’s no count").
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it plain: "no count." The "ac" from "account" drops out, leaving a shorter, sharper insult.