Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch means don’t assume success too early or rely on something before it actually happens. It’s advice to stay patient and realistic instead of banking on hopes or guesses.

#Southernish

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Common here, of course, but often shortened to 'don't count your chickens...'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Common here, of course, but often shortened to 'don't count your chickens...'

Pronunciation

[dont KOWNT yer CHIK-ens
buh-FORE thay HATCH]
/ˌdoʊnt kaʊnt jɚ ˈtʃɪkənz bəˈfɔr ðeɪ hætʃ/

Meaning & Usage

- Don’t assume success too early (saying)

Mae:

He’s plannin’ what he’ll buy with lottery winnings.

Earl:

Well, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

★ This saying’s a reminder that not every plan works out. It fits farm life, where not every egg becomes a chick. ★

Origin

This proverb traces back to **Aesop’s Fables** (6th century BC), where a milkmaid daydreams about profits she doesn’t have yet and ends up losing everything. The farming version we know today-about unhatched eggs-became popular in English by the 1500-1600s.

It spread throughout the English-speaking world, including the American South, where farm and livestock imagery feels natural. But its roots are much older and broader than the rural South.

Verdict: Southernish. Common in Southern talk, but not originally Southern.

Notes

Often said to encourage patience and level-headed planning.
Still used widely in business, sports, gambling, and family life.
A polite way to say "you’re gettin’ ahead of yourself."
The imagery hits especially well in rural and farming communities.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it steady: "don’t count yer chickens before they hatch." Often told as a warning or gentle advice.

Common Questions

What does "Don’t count your chickens"" mean?

Don’t rely on something that isn’t guaranteed yet-wait until it actually happens.

Is it a Southern saying?

No. It’s ancient, though commonly used in the South today.

Why chickens?

Because eggs don’t always hatch-just like plans don’t always work out.

Is it still common today?

Very much so. It’s everyday advice in both casual and professional settings.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 27). Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/dont-count-your-chickens-before-they-hatch
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/dont-count-your-chickens-before-they-hatch.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch." HillbillySlang.com. October 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/dont-count-your-chickens-before-they-hatch.

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