Another question, this one is interactive:

[Deja Q]

Is "Ain't" an accepted bona fide word?

[iamjoy]

1. Blame The Lexicographers!

people use the word (even though it is NOT proper English), lexicographers put it in the dictionary. Then, the uneducated go, "Well, it's in the dictionary so it MUST be acceptable."

And for the love of the earth - it is pronounced NOO-klee-er or NYOO-klee-er. It is not Noo-kyu-ler. But when a nuclear engineer can't even properly pronounce his own profession it give legitimacy to everyone mangling the word.

[Deja Q]

3. The English language has always mutated.

From the Bible to 1770s variants, English has changed. Think of the words that replaced "Thoust". "Olde", and "Ye" - originally, they was seen as uneducated too.

Indeed, within 700 years, the word "gay" (which was taken from the French) had acquired no less than SIX meanings (many of which having been given attributes to in the 20th century): Happy, Homosexual, Stupid, Lame, Bright or Lively (e.g. brilliant in color), Licentiousness (hedonism).

[baldguy]

2. My third grade teacher said....

"ain't" wasn't a word, 'cause it wasn't in the dictionary.

When I looked, guess what? IT **WAS** IN THE DICTIONARY!

Right then & there, spoiled my opinion of authority.

[TroubleMan]

4. I dunno...what do Y'ALL think? nt

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. If it ain't a word, what is it? nt