  Can’t Hardly WaitIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "can’t hardly wait" means eager anticipation - looking forward to something with excitement. It’s a dialect form built on double negatives, often said as "caint hardly wait." Hillbilly Dude Says...  I say 'can’t hardly wait' without blinkin' a eye. It's still common around here. Pronunciation[CAINT hard-lee wait] Meaning & Usage- Strong eagerness or anticipation (saying)
Mae:
I can’t hardly wait for the fair this weekend.
Earl:
Been lookin’ forward to it all year.other spellings: caint hardly wait, can hardly wait (standard form), eager, itchin’ to, lookin’ forward to, ``chompin’ at the bit``, and ``dyin’ to`` ★ This phrase uses a "double negative" style common in mountain talk. Instead of "can hardly wait," locals add the extra "can’t." ★ OriginFrom older English patterns where double negatives added emphasis. In Appalachian and Southern dialects, "can’t hardly" became the common form, surviving as a folksy alternative to the standard "can hardly." NotesStill common in Appalachia and the South, especially in casual speech. Outsiders may call it "incorrect grammar," but locals see it as plain, expressive talk. Often heard as "caint hardly wait," reflecting the mountain pronunciation of "can’t." Say It Like a SouthernerSay it quick: "caint hardly wait." Stress falls on "caint." | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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