Going through a thread I saw "ain't" used in a humorous manner. My question is: is it simply wrong or is it just archaic?
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Mannysteps.
(1) Birdeen's Call has given us excellent advice.
(2) May I give you my advice?
PLEASE do NOT use it, except when you want to be humorous or
very informal:
Tom: The boss is a real idiot.
Ralph: Ain't that true!!!
(3) I have no doubt that if you use
ain't on a regular basis,
it will kill your career chances. A company would be embarrassed
to be represented by someone who consistently uses
ain't.
(4) Of course, we must be very respectful of everyone, including
people who use
ain't regularly. We should never say anything that
hurts their feelings, and we should never correct their "mistake."
For such people, it is not a "mistake." But I can assure you that
most people would not be caught dead (as we say) using that
word. In fact, when people DO use that word, the listener usually
smiles or laughs because the listener knows that the speaker is
being humorous/sarcastic on purpose.
James