Ain’t Got a Pot to Pee In

"Ain’t got a pot to pee in" is an old saying meaning someone is extremely poor, without even the bare essentials. In Appalachia and the South, it carried extra weight because chamber pots ("slop jars") were part of daily life.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I hear 'ain’t got a pot to pee in' plenty, but it's not one I remember using myself.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I hear 'ain’t got a pot to pee in' plenty, but it's not one I remember using myself.

Pronunciation

[aynt got uh pot tuh pee in]

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely poor, lacking essentials (saying)

Neighbor:

How’s Earl gettin’ by?

Uncle Joe:

He ain’t got a pot to pee in, but he’s still smilin’.

variations: so poor, broke, flat busted, without means, destitute

★ The phrase is usually said with humor, but it describes real poverty. In many families, it was a plain way of saying "we were dirt poor." ★

Origin and Etymology

The saying comes from the days when chamber pots were a basic household item. If you "didn’t have a pot to pee in," you lacked even the simplest necessity. The longer version adds "or a window to throw it out of."

Usage Notes

Heard across the U.S. and Britain, but especially common in Appalachia and the South where chamber pots remained a household reality well into the 20th century. The stronger word ("p*ss") was often used, though polite versions swap in "pee."

Say It Like a Southerner

Said quick and flat: "ain’t-got-a-pot-tuh-pee-in."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it literally mean not having a chamber pot?

Not anymore - it’s figurative, meaning dirt poor.

Is it considered vulgar?

The original word can be, but saying "pee" makes it much milder.

Is it still used today?

Yes, though mostly among older generations or in storytelling.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Ain’t Got a Pot to Pee In. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-a-pot-to-pee-in
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ain’t Got a Pot to Pee In." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-a-pot-to-pee-in.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Ain’t Got a Pot to Pee In." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-a-pot-to-pee-in.

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