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Nary a None

In Appalachian mountain speech, "nary a none" means "not a single one." It’s a rare form blending "nary a one" and "not a one," used for strong emphasis.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #OldTimers

synonyms: nary a one, not a one, none whatsoever

Pronunciation

[NAIR-ee uh NUN] /ˈnɛəɹi ə nʌn/

Meaning & Usage

- Not a single one (phrase)

Talking about what’s left
Grandpa:
You see them jars of beans? Ain’t got nary a none left.

Grandma:
Told ya them young’uns would eat every last one.

variations: nary none

Origin and Etymology

Likely a local blend of "nary a one" and "not a one," both old mountain expressions. Heard in parts of Appalachia, it serves as an emphatic double negative for "none at all."

Usage Notes

Extremely localized to certain Appalachian valleys and coal-mining communities. Rarely seen in print but preserved through oral tradition. Strongly emphatic - often used for humor or emphasis in storytelling.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "nary a none" mean?
It means "not a single one," used for strong emphasis - "Ain’t got nary a none left."
Is "nary a none" a mistake or real dialect?
It’s real local speech. A blend of "nary a one" and "not a one," common among older generations in parts of South Appalachia.
Where is it used?
Most often reported in rural mountain and Appalachian hollers.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)

    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 4). Nary a None. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/nary-a-none

  • MLA (9th edition)

    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Nary a None." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/nary-a-none.

  • Chicago (17th edition)

    The Hillbilly Dude. "Nary a None." HillbillySlang.com. October 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/nary-a-none.

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