Ain’t No Count

"Ain’t no count" is an Appalachian and Southern saying meaning someone (or something) is worthless, unreliable, or no good. It builds on the word "no count," with "ain’t" adding the punch of everyday speech.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern #ScoldingandTeasing

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We might use 'ain’t no count' to describe a mule. Or a person.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We might use 'ain’t no count' to describe a mule. Or a person.

Pronunciation

[AYNY noh-count]

Meaning & Usage

- Worthless, unreliable (saying)

Mae:

Thought he’d help with the hayin’, but he ain’t no count.

Earl:

Figures. That boy never did amount to much.

variations: ain’t worth a lick, ain’t worth a dime, ain’t worth nothin’, good-for-nothin’

★ "Ain’t no count" almost always carries judgment - it’s rarely lighthearted. Folks use it when they’ve lost patience with somebody or something. ★

Origin and Etymology

Rooted in "no account," an old phrase for worthless. In Appalachia and the South, it slurred to "no count." Adding "ain’t" turned it into a stock saying that rolls off the tongue in daily talk.

Usage Notes

Common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially older generations. Most often said about people ("he ain’t no count"), but can apply to things too ("that truck ain’t no count").

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it quick and plain: "ain’t-nuh-count." The "no" softens and runs straight into "count."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "ain’t no count" always negative?

Yes - it’s meant as a put-down, calling someone useless or unreliable.

Does it only apply to people?

Mostly people, but you’ll hear it for tools, cars, or plans that don’t work right.

Is it different from just "no count"?

Slightly - "no count" is the root word, while "ain’t no count" is the common saying that shows up in everyday speech.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 19). Ain’t No Count. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-no-count
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ain’t No Count." HillbillySlang.com, 19 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-no-count.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Ain’t No Count." HillbillySlang.com. September 19, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aint-no-count.

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