Dice
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

Don’t You Fret None

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "don’t you fret none" means "don’t worry" or "don’t be upset." It combines the old verb "fret" with the regional intensifier "none," making a warm, folksy reassurance.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

synonyms: don't worry

Pronunciation

[DONT yew FRET nun]

Meaning & Usage

- Reassuring someone not to worry (folk saying)

Comforting a friend
Mae:
I’m afraid we’ll be late.

Earl:
Don’t you fret none - we’ve got plenty of time.

★ "Fret" for "worry" comes from older English. Adding "none" after the negative is a classic Southern/Appalachian pattern, intensifying the reassurance and giving it a friendly, down-home feel. ★

Origin and Etymology

Found in Appalachian and Southern dialect studies as well as Foxfire interviews, this term reflects a blend of old English verbs and regional grammar patterns brought by Scots-Irish settlers.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers and in storytelling. Outside the region it’s rare but recognizable from context or folk songs.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it gentle and reassuring: "Don’t you fret none." "Fret" rhymes with "bet," and "none" softens the phrase with a rural lilt.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is "don’t you fret none" correct grammar?
It’s authentic dialect - a nonstandard but natural construction in Southern/Appalachian speech.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - especially in family talk, older generations, and in country or folk music.
What does "none" add?
It intensifies the negative ("don’t fret none" = "really don’t worry").

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Don’t You Fret None. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-you-fret-none
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Don’t You Fret None." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-you-fret-none.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Don’t You Fret None." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-you-fret-none.
...
Slang and folklore change from place to place - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home