  Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They HatchIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "Don’t count your chickens before they hatch" means don’t assume success or rewards before they actually happen. It’s a caution against celebrating too early. Hillbilly Dude Says...  Common here, but often shortened to 'don't count your chickens... Pronunciation[don’t count yer CHICK-inz before they hatch] Meaning & Usage- Don’t assume success too early (saying)
Mae:
He’s plannin’ what he’ll buy with lottery winnings.
Earl:
Well, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.other spellings: don’t count your eggs before they hatch, don’t get ahead of yourself, don’t celebrate too soon, don’t put the cart before the horse (related), ``wait and see``, and ``be patient`` ★ This saying’s a reminder that not every plan works out. It fits farm life, where not every egg becomes a chick. ★ OriginAn old proverb with roots in Aesop’s fables ("The Milkmaid and Her Pail"). Farmers in Appalachia and the South kept it alive in plain talk, where hatching chickens was a daily reality. NotesStill common across the U.S., but especially natural in Appalachian and Southern speech, where farm and animal sayings are part of everyday life. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it steady: "don’t count yer chickens before they hatch." Often told as a warning or gentle advice. | 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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