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Ain’t No Count

"Ain’t no count" is an Appalachian and Southern saying meaning someone (or something) is worthless, unreliable, or no good. It builds on the word "no count," with "ain’t" adding the punch of everyday speech.

#Appalachia   #Southern

Pronunciation

[AYNY noh-count]

Meaning & Usage

- Worthless, unreliable (saying)

Neighbors talking
Mae:
Thought he’d help with the hayin’, but he ain’t no count.

Earl:
Figures. That boy never did amount to much.

other spellings: ain’t worth a lick, ain’t worth a dime, ain’t worth nothin’, and good-for-nothin’
★ "Ain’t no count" almost always carries judgment - it’s rarely lighthearted. Folks use it when they’ve lost patience with somebody or something. ★

Origin

Rooted in "no account," an old phrase for worthless. In Appalachia and the South, it slurred to "no count." Adding "ain’t" turned it into a stock saying that rolls off the tongue in daily talk.

Notes

Common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially older generations. Most often said about people ("he ain’t no count"), but can apply to things too ("that truck ain’t no count").

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it quick and plain: "ain’t-nuh-count." The "no" softens and runs straight into "count."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "ain’t no count" always negative?
Yes - it’s meant as a put-down, calling someone useless or unreliable.
Does it only apply to people?
Mostly people, but you’ll hear it for tools, cars, or plans that don’t work right.
Is it different from just "no count"?
Slightly - "no count" is the root word, while "ain’t no count" is the common saying that shows up in everyday speech.
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