Don’t Fool With Somethin’ That Ain’t Botherin’ You
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Don’t fool with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you" is a folksy way of saying "leave well enough alone." It’s authentic dialect advice passed down orally, especially in rural communities.
You'll hear cousin versions of 'don’t fool with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you' around here.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll hear cousin versions of 'don’t fool with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you' around here.
Pronunciation
[DONT fool wuh SUMP-in at AINT BOTHER-in ya]
Meaning & Usage
- Leave well enough alone; don’t mess with something harmless (proverb / figurative)
Offering advice
Mae:
Should I spray that hornet nest?
Earl:
Honey, don’t fool with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you.
★ This saying draws on everyday rural sense: if something’s not harming you - a snake, a hornet’s nest, an old engine - leave it alone. "Fool with" and "ain’t" are authentically Southern/Appalachian for "mess with" and "isn’t." ★
Origin and Etymology
Documented as a natural speech pattern in Appalachian and Southern oral histories and in interviews. While not printed as a set proverb, the wording closely matches dozens of recorded pieces of advice from elders.
Usage Notes
Still widely used in rural Southern/Appalachian communities, especially about animals, remedies, or machinery. Outside the South it’s rare to hear this phrasing, though "leave it alone" is universal.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "don’t fool with sum-thin that ain’t botherin’ you." "Fool with" is a classic Southern/Appalachian verb meaning "mess with" or "tamper with."
Figuratively yes - it’s about leaving anything harmless alone, not just animals.
Is it authentic?
Yes - the grammar and sentiment are documented in Appalachian oral speech. Exact wording varies but matches recorded advice.
Is "fool with" Southern-only?
Strongest in Southern/Appalachian speech but understood elsewhere as "mess with."
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Don’t Fool With Something That Ain’t Bothering You. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-fool-with-somethin-aint-botherin-you
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Don’t Fool With Something That Ain’t Bothering You." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-fool-with-somethin-aint-botherin-you.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Don’t Fool With Something That Ain’t Bothering You." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-fool-with-somethin-aint-botherin-you.
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You'll hear cousin versions of 'don’t fool with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you' around here.