Is “Ain’t” a Real Word?
“Ain’t” ain’t like any other English word. This contraction conveys a unique tone, and more specifically, doesn’t join two words by removing letters. However, it’s often used as shorthand for “are not,” “is not,” “has not,” and “did not.” Despite its widespread usage, some grammar snobs will argue that “ain’t”
has no place in proper American English. But tell that to Bachman-Turner Overdrive — the song title “You Have Not Seen Nothin’ Yet” just isn’t as catchy as the version with “Ain’t.” While stigmatized today, the contraction was considered to be a proper replacement for the phrases “am not,” “are...
