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What is the use of ain't and "not/no" in a single phrase? The question is that we usually use ain't in our writings, but when it comes to a usual expression "ain't not" or "ain't no" does the meaning differ from the one which means have not, do not, am not etc.?

Anya Ael
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  • Since ain't is nonstandard, I doubt there are general rules about it. You have to know the dialect to interpret. For example, I would say "This ain't no fun" means the same as "This ain't fun", with the double-negative only for emphasis. – GEdgar Oct 25 '18 at 14:40
  • @GEdgar "I aint not never done nuffink to no one", was the catch phrase of someone, perhaps Sergeant Snudge, trying to affect an officer's accent in The Army Game circa 1960. – WS2 Oct 25 '18 at 15:16
  • Possible duplicate of https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/29755/usage-of-aint – Simon B Oct 25 '18 at 16:18
  • Possible duplicate of Usage of "ain't"? – jimm101 Oct 25 '18 at 17:55
  • The meaning does not differ. The register does. And some will argue that the register very much is part of the meaning. That's why code-switching is a thing. – RegDwigнt Oct 25 '18 at 18:34

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