Ain’t Never Hurt Nobody

"Ain’t never hurt nobody" is a Southern and Appalachian way of saying something is harmless or not worth worrying over. Built with ain’t and a double negative, it’s part of the region’s natural rhythm of speech.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

If I'm making refried donuts - and I will make refried donuts - I may say, 'ain’t never hurt nobody.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

If I'm making refried donuts - and I will make refried donuts - I may say, 'ain’t never hurt nobody.'

Pronunciation

[AIN’T NEH-ver hurt NO-body]

Meaning & Usage

- Harmless, not a problem (phrase)

Mae:

You’re havin’ another slice of pie?

Earl:

Sure - ain’t never hurt nobody.

- Not worth worryin’ about (phrase)

Mae:

You left your boots by the door again.

Earl:

Aw, that ain’t never hurt nobody.

variations: it never hurt nobody, ain’t hurt nobody, don’t hurt nobody, never done no harm, won’t hurt a thing, ain’t no harm in it

★ This saying softens judgment - it’s not that something’s *good,* just that it’s harmless enough not to fret over. ★

Origin and Etymology

Comes from the widespread Southern/Appalachian use of "ain’t" with double negatives. The pattern goes back to older English forms where double negatives were emphatic, not incorrect.

Usage Notes

Still common in Southern and Appalachian speech. Outsiders may see it as "bad grammar," but within the dialect it’s natural and expressive.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "ain’t nev’r hurt nobuddy." Quick and casual, often with a shrug.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Isn’t that a double negative?

Yes - but in Southern and Appalachian English, double negatives are standard for emphasis.

Does it mean the same as "it’s good for you"?

No - it just means "it won’t hurt you."

Do people still say it today?

Yes, it’s still common in casual talk.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 2). Ain’t Never Hurt Nobody. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-never-hurt-nobody
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ain’t Never Hurt Nobody." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-never-hurt-nobody.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Ain’t Never Hurt Nobody." HillbillySlang.com. September 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-never-hurt-nobody.

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