If "ain't" ain't a word...?

Question

...then why is it in the dictionary?

Ain't ain't a word and I ain't gonna say it.

Answer 1

(speak the dialect) So, what ain't to like about a word there ain't no such thang as? If it ain't a word, then it ain't. If it is, ain't is a' official word. The ain't is the word.

Answer 2

Cuz. We said something similar 98 7/9th years ago, before the white man drove the indian from the fertile plains of New Mexico to the smoggy valleys of San Gabriel...AIN'T AIN'T A WORD CUZ IT AIN'T IN THE DICTIONARY!

So, now it is. It BETTER be since I answered this question. Now, I am gonna go look.

CRIKY people!! Who CARES if it's IMPROPER?? WE ARE AMERICANS! NOT ENGLISH! Get a grip!

Answer 3

In the dictionary, it says it's criticized and it's an informal verb contradiction---not really a good thing.

"△ a contraction of "am not," "is not," "are not," "have not," or "has not" (nonstandard)

Ain't is one of the most informal verb contractions in English, and its use in formal contexts may be criticized because it is associated with careless speech. It is, however, accepted in folk and popular song lyrics, show titles, direct quotations, and fictional dialogue. Otherwise ain't is best avoided, except as a deliberate rhetorical device and in allusive expressions such as You ain't seen nothing yet."

however, you're right! It is technically a word :-)

Answer 4

Ahhh..my childhood strikes. I actually got sent to the princepals office over this. I kept using it in class to annoy my teacher because she believed it was not a word. I knew it was so when the chance came up to prove my point we had a slight arguement until i pulled out the dictionary and showed her it was a word. I was sent to the princepals office for being a smartazz. Anyway.....Ain't although a contraction is a form of am not, are not and sometimes in slang for have not etc. Techinically it is a word, although it is considered slang.

Answer 5

I bet more people use it then those that don't. But those that don't think its a word are the ones that set the rules lol I never liked English to speak to someone you need to do it at their level to communicate better so using ain't or other slang is a necessary thing.

Answer 6

Becasue it bacame a word after extensive usage. The English language contrary to popular belief is alive partially because it keeps evolving. When they finally made Latin too static for example is amazingly when the language died. A language that does not evolve and change eventually dies history has shown throughout time.

Answer 7

Ain't IS a word and that ain't no lie!

Answer 8

I agree, but we all say ain't once in a while, its just a habit for me saying it.

Answer 9

Ohemgee!! it ain't in the dictionary

Answer 10

It's slang. Lots of slang words are in the dictionary, but they are not proper English.