Ain’t Got No
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "ain’t got no" is a common double-negative construction meaning "don’t have any" or "do not have." It reflects older English grammar patterns preserved in regional dialect.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country - and in plenty of cities - you'll hear 'ain’t got no' on a regular basis. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country - and in plenty of cities - you'll hear 'ain’t got no' on a regular basis. Pronunciation
[AYNT GOT NO]
Meaning & Usage
- To not have any (double negative form) (verb phrase/dialect)
Mae:
Got any gas money?
Got any gas money?
Earl:
Nope - I ain’t got no cash on me.
Nope - I ain’t got no cash on me.- To emphasize lack (verb phrase/dialect)
Mae:
Do you understand?
Do you understand?
Earl:
I ain’t got no clue what you’re talkin’ about.
I ain’t got no clue what you’re talkin’ about.variations: ain’t got none
★ "Ain’t got no" isn’t bad grammar - it’s a regional feature of Southern/Appalachian English and has roots in older English where double negatives added emphasis. It’s one of the most recognizable Southern speech markers. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Early Modern English double negatives ("I can’t get no satisfaction") carried to the American South by Scotch-Irish and English settlers. Preserved in Appalachian and Southern dialect long after disappearing from "standard" English.
Usage Notes
Still widely used in Southern/Appalachian speech, often unconsciously. Also appears in older blues lyrics. Outsiders may view it as ungrammatical, but in dialect it’s normal and emphatic.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "ain’t got no." Often with a noun after it: "ain’t got no money," "ain’t got no sense."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Ain’t Got No. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-no
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ain’t Got No." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-no.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Ain’t Got No." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-no.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...