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This Ain’t My First Rodeo

This ain’t my first rodeo is a modern Southernish saying meaning "I’ve done this before" or "I know what I’m doing." It’s a confident, good-humored way to say you’re no beginner.

#Southernish  

synonyms: I’ve been around the block, I’ve done this before, not my first time
Hillbilly Dude Says...
When somebody starts explainin’ somethin’ I already know, I’ll just grin and say, "This ain’t my first rodeo." It’s a nice way of sayin’ I’ve done this dance before-no need to hand me the instruction manual. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
When somebody starts explainin’ somethin’ I already know, I’ll just grin and say, "This ain’t my first rodeo." It’s a nice way of sayin’ I’ve done this dance before-no need to hand me the instruction manual. 

Pronunciation

[THIS ayn’t mah FIRST roh-dee-oh] /ðɪs eɪnt ma fɝst ˈroʊ.di.oʊ/

Meaning & Usage

- Experienced; not new to something (statement of confidence)

Chet:
Need me to show you how it’s done?
Randy:
Naw, son-this ain’t my first rodeo.
variations: this isn’t my first rodeo

Origin

The phrase likely arose in mid-20th-century American cowboy and rodeo culture, where the rodeo stood as a test of skill and toughness. It became common in everyday speech by the 1980s through country music and movies. The rhythm and humor fit Southern and rural talk perfectly, but it isn’t an old Southern saying by birth.

Verdict: Southernish. Modern and widespread, with Western roots and Southern flavor.

Notes

  • Used to show experience or calm confidence, often with a grin or bit of sass.
  • Appears widely in American English, especially in the South and West.
  • Popularized by country songs, comedians, and everyday speech from the 1980s onward.
  • Sounds fully at home in Southern talk, even though it’s not a historic Southern idiom.

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "This ain’t my first rodeo" mean?
It means "I’ve done this before" or "I know what I’m doing."
Is it a Southern saying?
Not originally-it comes from American rodeo and cowboy talk, though Southerners use it naturally.
When did it become popular?
It gained traction in the late 20th century through country music and pop culture.
Why "rodeo"?
The rodeo represents skill, grit, and showmanship-so if it’s not your first, you’re no novice.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 18). This Ain’t My First Rodeo. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/this-aint-my-first-rodeo
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "This Ain’t My First Rodeo." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/this-aint-my-first-rodeo.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "This Ain’t My First Rodeo." HillbillySlang.com. October 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/this-aint-my-first-rodeo.
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