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Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

In 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.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Animals   #Southern   #FarmTalk   #Proverbs

Pronunciation

[don’t count yer CHICK-inz before they hatch]

Meaning & Usage

- Don’t assume success too early (saying)

On the porch
Mae:
He’s plannin’ what he’ll buy with lottery winnings.

Earl:
Well, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

variations: 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, be patient
★ This saying’s a reminder that not every plan works out. It fits farm life, where not every egg becomes a chick. ★

Origin and Etymology

An 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.

Usage Notes

Still 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 Southerner

Say it steady: "don’t count yer chickens before they hatch." Often told as a warning or gentle advice.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does it mean in plain English?
Don’t assume you’ll have success or gains before they’re certain.
Is it only Appalachian?
No - it’s worldwide, but the farm setting made it stick in Appalachian talk.
Do people still use it today?
Yes, often as a warning not to get ahead of yourself.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 13). Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-count-your-chickens-before-they-hatch
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-count-your-chickens-before-they-hatch.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch." HillbillySlang.com. September 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-count-your-chickens-before-they-hatch.
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