That Don’t Mean Diddly Squat

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "that don’t mean diddly squat" is a way of saying something is unimportant or has no real value. It’s used to dismiss fussing, excuses, or things that don’t make a difference.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

If you say something that makes no difference, people down here still say, 'that don’t mean diddly squat.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

If you say something that makes no difference, people down here still say, 'that don’t mean diddly squat.'

Pronunciation

[THAT dohnt meen DID-lee skwaht]

Meaning & Usage

- To dismiss something as unimportant (verb phrase)

Mae:

Forecast says a chance of rain.

Earl:

That don’t mean diddly squat if the creek’s already dry.

- To say something carries no value (figurative)

Mae:

We had more yards than they did.

Earl:

That don’t mean diddly squat - we still lost.

variations: that don’t mean nothing, don’t mean a lick, ain’t worth a thing, doesn’t matter, that don’t mean diddly squat in the long run, it don’t mean diddly squat to me, all that don’t mean diddly squat

★ This phrase adds punch to a dismissal. Instead of just saying "it doesn’t matter," "don’t mean diddly squat" makes it more vivid and down-home. ★

Origin and Etymology

Rooted in the slang "diddly squat" (meaning nothing), combined with the Southern/American way of dismissing importance using "don’t mean." It became a folksy formula for brushing things off.

Usage Notes

Still common in Southern and Appalachian speech. Recognized across the U.S., often used jokingly or in storytelling. Related forms include "ain’t worth diddly squat" and "ain’t got diddly squat."

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "that don’t mean did-lee squat." Often quick and clipped: "don’ mean did-ly squat."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "that don’t mean diddly squat" rude?

No - it’s informal, but not offensive.

Can it apply outside the South?

Yes - it’s widely understood, though strongest in Southern/Appalachian usage.

What’s the difference from "ain’t got diddly squat"?

"Ain’t got" means lacking something; "don’t mean" dismisses importance or value.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 4). That Don’t Mean Diddly Squat. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/that-dont-mean-diddly-squat
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "That Don’t Mean Diddly Squat." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/that-dont-mean-diddly-squat.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "That Don’t Mean Diddly Squat." HillbillySlang.com. September 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/that-dont-mean-diddly-squat.

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