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.
synonyms: nary a one, not a one, none whatsoever
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I heard 'nary a one' growin' up, but a few mountain's over, you'd heard 'nary a none.' It's one of the rare ones these days. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I heard 'nary a one' growin' up, but a few mountain's over, you'd heard 'nary a none.' It's one of the rare ones these days. Pronunciation
[NAIR-ee uh NUN]
/ˈnɛəɹi ə nʌn/
/ˈnɛəɹi ə nʌn/
Meaning & Usage
- Not a single one (phrase)
Grandpa:
You see them jars of beans? Ain’t got nary a none left.
You see them jars of beans? Ain’t got nary a none left.
Grandma:
Told ya them young’uns would eat every last one.
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
Related Pages
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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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...