"Ain't" ain't a word, or is it?

[Ithaya]

That...was odd.
And the spellings: Shakespearean, iambic, pentameter (iambic - heartbeat, penta - five, meter - a measure).

Not all Shakespearean texts use iambic pentameter all the time.  

[Sachiko13]

as to the argument of "it's in the dictionary, so it's a word"

d'oh (of homer simpson fame) is in the dictionary. i rest my case.  

[Doombringer50]

Ikonik Angel

That...was odd.
And the spellings: Shakespearean, iambic, pentameter (iambic - heartbeat, penta - five, meter - a measure).

Not all Shakespearean texts use iambic pentameter all the time.

Yes, but the language considered English's flow today is iambic pantameter (Thx) and we use it ninety percent of the time. It matters naught how much he used it, it matters what is accepted today.  

[Ithaya]

Doombringer50

Ikonik Angel

That...was odd.
And the spellings: Shakespearean, iambic, pentameter (iambic - heartbeat, penta - five, meter - a measure).

Not all Shakespearean texts use iambic pentameter all the time.

Yes, but the language considered English's flow today is iambic pantameter (Thx) and we use it ninety percent of the time. It matters naught how much he used it, it matters what is accepted today.

Well I suppose it's only natural we use words in rhythm with our heartbeat (iambic pentameter).
But still, slang is sometimes a bit over the top; there are enough words in the English language for people to talk without words like 'ain't', and without adding 'like' at the end of nearly every sentence...  

[Doombringer50]

Slang comes about because people accidentally say something, meaning another, and then it sticks. Certain people in today's world make up slang to be cool. Then others want to be as cool as them, so they use it. Then we get the bad, not helping slang. Oh, and like is used to add rhythem to the 10 percent not used in imbeamic pentameter.  

[Lord Brand]

Ain't, to my mind, is a signature word in a dialect of english that makes it impossible for the speaker to not sound like an idiot.
Whether or not the word is a "real" english word, to me is a secondary concern. Whenever I hear ain't used it sounds like "ain't you jus gotta car worsh didn'tcha?" I refuse to sound or appear that stupid.  

[Doombringer50]

Yeah, ain't kind of stupid?  

[Lily-Anne-Marie]

I like this saying. "Ain't ain't a word 'cause Ain't, ain't in the dictionary." The response, "If ain't ain't in the dictionary, then the dictionary ain't right." I always find that funny. But I try to stay away from it and I often catch myself correcting my mother because she uses it. I'll hear her say, "I ain't got none."

Sometimes, I'll laugh, other times, I laugh, then correct her about it, jokingly of course, but still. "I ain't got none." Double negative, meaning you do have something! Funny how life works.  

[nimay]

Ain't ain't a word cuz it ain't in the dictionary. So I ain't gonna use ain't no more.........I hate that phrase.  

[kimika56]

This is where people will differ. I use it via conversations, but I never use it in writing. I think you can get away with it in a conversation, but it shouldn't be used when you're writing.

In a conversation it is a word, but for writing, it isn't.

But then again, that's just my opinion. sweatdrop  

[jocef_XP]

I think that the word ain't is a quite humorous word.
I laugh at the fact that others actually use the word "ain't".
Seems like something used by an ignorant kid mrgreen .

It can be used in an uncivilized conversation, or can be used to anger the teachers in school.  

[La Diavola]

Ain't is definitlely (Hah! You taught me how to spell that, Shinobi!) an O.K. word to use, as far as I'm cocnerned. Even if it is "grammatically incorrect" I still like to use it. It's fun. Saying "ain't" is all the fun of being vulgar, without the actual vulgarity. That may seem pointless but it really makes sense to me.

Although I wouldn't suggest using the word in important situations, like reports, writing, or business conversations.  

[Rough Sketch]

Jasmine Landers

Well, I am a literate southern girl and I see nothing wrong with the word ain't at all. I use it quite often.

I agree. I was born and raised in the South, and I've always used ain't. I will generally not use it while writing or typing because that's just the way I was taught. However, I will use it quite avidly while speaking. Why? Because sentences just don't sound right unless I do, which is the same for Y'all.  

[~Twilight-Your NightMare~]

Well, it may be in the dictionary but it certainly is not a word at all, but a commonly used thrashing of the English language. The only reason *'normal' people these days don't mind it, is because it has frequently been used without anyone contradicting it. You can find it in the dictionary, but you cn also find "bootylicious" in it as well. I am completely serious. The word made up in a once popular song by whats-her-name is in the dictionary. Its unbelievable how the English language has over years and years become a mess of unintelligable expression of the human mind.
Ain't, as you said, is a term used as a contraction for, has not, have not, is not, are not... I say that if it stands as more than one contraction of above said words, it is not a word at all.

*normal being those people who do not concern themselves with proper English.*  

[Doombringer50]

Once again then, I assume. To counter: The English language is ever living and growing. The words in use are made up from words accepted and used over time. This means if a word is not accepted, and it is not used, then it is not a part of the language. Also two examples: f*****t, now meaning homosexual, used to mean a bundle of sticks. I assume this came from a pun, and spread. Also Gay, which used to mean merry.