A visual exploration of words that look the same, sound the same, or are otherwise easily confused. Updated weakly through 2016, now only occasionally. The book version "Homophones Visualized" is available wherever books are sold. Thanks for checking in!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Ain't
Can anybody tell me why "ain't" has an apostrophe?
Well, yeah, it would be in place of the O if it were a true contraction. But as you say, it's not short for "ai not." So is it just me, or couldn't we get along just spelling it "aint"?
my guess is it is in the place of the 'o' in not. (like how do not becomes 'don't.) No idea why 'is' is replaced with 'ai' though.
ReplyDeleteWell, yeah, it would be in place of the O if it were a true contraction. But as you say, it's not short for "ai not." So is it just me, or couldn't we get along just spelling it "aint"?
ReplyDeleteAnd why "amn't" can't be used :(
ReplyDeleteSame goes for "won't" and "shan't". There must be meaning conferred by the apostrophe (i.e that it means "not"). Saves mix ups with "wont".
ReplyDeleteHere you go, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't
ReplyDelete