Ain’t Got Diddly Squat

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "ain’t got diddly squat" means having absolutely nothing. It’s a colorful, folksy way to say you don’t have a thing - whether it’s money, results, or luck.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern #MoneyWorkandChores

Hillbilly Dude Says...

My pockets empty? I'm likely to say, 'ain’t got diddly squat' - and you'll hear that all over down here.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

My pockets empty? I'm likely to say, 'ain’t got diddly squat' - and you'll hear that all over down here.

Pronunciation

[AYNT got DID-lee skwaht]

Meaning & Usage

- To have nothing at all (verb phrase)

Earl:

How much you got left?

Mae:

I ain’t got diddly squat.

- To lack value or results (figurative)

Earl:

Catch anything?

Mae:

Nope, ain’t got diddly squat.

variations: ain’t got nothing, ain’t got a thing, don’t have squat, don’t have diddly, ain’t got diddly squat to my name, we ain’t got diddly squat left, ain’t got diddly squat but trouble

★ Adding "ain’t got" makes "diddly squat" even more down-home. It’s funnier, more emphatic, and pure Southern/Appalachian flavor. ★

Origin and Etymology

Built from the slang "diddly squat" (meaning nothing) and the Southern construction "ain’t got." Together, they form a folksy phrase that emphasizes lack or emptiness.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in the South and Appalachia, especially in family talk, old stories, and country humor. Recognized across the U.S., but strongest in rural speech.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "ain’t got did-lee squat." Sometimes run together quick, "ain’t-got-didly-squat."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "ain’t got diddly squat" bad grammar?

It’s nonstandard grammar, but it’s accepted in regional and playful speech.

Can it describe effort or results?

Yes - "ain’t got diddly squat" can mean no progress, no reward, or no value.

Do people outside the South use it?

Yes, but it’s most authentic in Southern/Appalachian English.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Ain’t Got Diddly Squat. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-diddly-squat
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ain’t Got Diddly Squat." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-diddly-squat.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Ain’t Got Diddly Squat." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-got-diddly-squat.

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