ain't

Although widely disapproved as nonstandard, and more common in the habitual speech of the less educated, ain't is flourishing in American English. It is used in both speech and writing to catch attention and to gain emphasis.

• • the wackiness of movies, once so deliciously amusing, ain't funny anymore
  • —Richard Schickel
• • I am telling you—there ain't going to be any blackmail
  • —R. M. Nixon

It is used especially in journalistic prose as part of a consistently informal style.

• • the creative process ain't easy
  • —Mike Royko

This informal ain't is commonly distinguished from habitual ain't by its frequent occurrence in fixed constructions and phrases.

• • well—class it ain't
  • —Cleveland Amory
• • for money? say it ain't so, Jimmy!
  • —Andy Rooney
• • you ain't seen nothing yet
• • that ain't hay
• • two out of three ain't bad
• • if it ain't broke, don't fix it

In fiction ain't is used for purposes of characterization; in familiar correspondence it tends to be the mark of a warm personal friendship. It has also long been commonly used in popular songs, both for metrical reasons and for the informal tone it conveys.

• • Ain't She Sweet
• • It Ain't Necessarily So

Our evidence shows British use to be much the same as American.