ain’t no thing

phrase

Etymology

Formed from ain't (third person singular, present indicative form of the verb be with the negative particle n't affixed) + the adjective no (+ the adjective big) + the noun thing. See OED be, v. Forms 2.i.ζ.(b), OED no, adj., OED big, adj. 13, OED thing, n.1 Variants of the phrase showing t'aint reflect additional affixation of the first element with a reduced form of the personal pronoun it: see OED be, v. Forms 18.ζ.

Meaning & use

Also ain't no thang, ain't nothing, t'ain't no (big) thing

  1. 1963–A phrase indicating that something is not a large concern, difficulty, or problem. Sometimes used as a conscious or ironic understatement. Often takes the dummy subject it and sometimes emphasized as (it) ain't no big thing.

    usage The phrase often takes the dummy subject it.

    Show quotationsHide quotations
    1963
    'Taint no sicher thing! = it is untrue.
    The Beatles 3
    1963
    Oh, I got a feeling, that I am losing you. But what's the use? Why worry, when there's nothing I can do? Ain't no big thing, ain't no big thing.
    Daily Telegraph 1 November 15/6
    1963
    Your painted-on jeans make you fresh anyway. You wear much gold like it ain't no thing.
    Northern Daily Mail Hartlepool 7 November 2/2
    1963
    Yeah, man, but it ain't no big thing. It shouldn't be no big problem gettin' out of here.
    Sunday Post Glasgow 6 October 2/1 headline
    1963
    Time to question our lifestyle, look how we live. Smokin' weed like it ain't no thing.
    Times 27 December 4/6
    1963
    The manager told me first, "It ain't no thing. Wait here for me. I'm coming back. It ain't no thing." But when they came back together...he said, "I don't know why you people think you can get away with this."
    Journal Newcastle 26 October 1/3
    1963
    I been chillin', just running some plays. Won't you swing through like it ain't no thing?
    Leicester Mercury 23 September 21/2
    1964
    T'ain't no big thing baby, I got you papa's new bag.
    Daily Mail 11 February 6/8
    1964
    Ain't no thang. Like I said, Sassy vouches for you, then we vouch for you. Understand?
    Daily Telegraph 10 February 1/3
    1964
    Thank goodness she has replied and it's with such a 'tain't no thing, chill out, also you have every right, 's'all good vibe I am immensely relieved. All's well that ends well.
    Chronicle-Telegram Elyria, Ohio 19 August 39/2
    1968
    The dictionary contains 221 words and expressions from "ain't no thang" (no problem)...through "zimmer" (girl).
    Courier-Mail Brisbane 22 June 3/3
    1977
    Everything is copacetic, a lil Twitter speed bump but that ain't no thing
    Rolling Stone 30 June 39/1
    1991
    We've been suffering trial and execution by the Philadelphia Police. For all purposes, our cries have fallen on deaf ears. Why the big fuss all of a sudden? It ain't no thing to us.
    Ottawa Citizen Nexis 3 October e1

See also