I Don’t Care If It Riles the Devil
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "I don’t care if it riles the devil" is a defiant expression meaning "I’m going to do this no matter who it angers or what trouble it causes."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'm not sure I've heard ‘I don’t care if it riles the devil, so I'm assuming that one is regional and in use by old timers. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'm not sure I've heard ‘I don’t care if it riles the devil, so I'm assuming that one is regional and in use by old timers. Pronunciation
[AH dont KARE if it RAHLS thuh DEV-il] or [RAHLS → "riles" in Southern speech]
Meaning & Usage
- Defiant statement - doing something regardless of consequences (folk saying)
Mae:
They told you not to?
They told you not to?
Earl:
Yeah - but I don’t care if it riles the devil.
Yeah - but I don’t care if it riles the devil.variations: I don’t care if it angers the devil, I don’t care if it burns the devil
★ This expression is a colorful way to declare your independence and determination. "Riles" is an authentically Southern verb meaning "to irritate or anger." ★
Origin and Etymology
Documented in Southern and Appalachian newspaper columns, humor writing, and dialect collections since the early 20th century. The verb "rile" itself appears in 19th-century Southern English and survives as a hallmark of rural speech.
Usage Notes
Still heard among older Southerners and in rural communities. Outside the region it’s rare but understandable from context. Functions as a folksy equivalent of "I don’t care who it upsets."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "I don’t care if it riles the devil." "Riles" rhymes with "smiles."
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