Ain't in Supernatural (and my daily life)
When I first started reading Supernatural fanfic, without having seen many episodes, I'd be jolted if Stanford-educated Sam said "ain't". He was on his way to law school - would he say that? Watching a few more episodes proved that yes, occasionally he does, which is not surprising given his background. Ever since then, I've been wondering exactly how often he does say it, and today I had a little too much time on my hands, so I counted while going through the Wiki transcripts to check which ones still need doing.
The answer: 12 times in 141 episodes to date, compared to Dean's 51 times.
Sam's ain'ts:
1x18 Something Wicked: So, assuming we can kill it when it eats, we gotta find the thing first. It ain't gonna be a cakewalk.
3x13 Ghostfacers: Look, Ed, we ain't got much time here, buddy. / That ghost ain't it.
4x13 After School Special: (regarding EMF on the bus) Definitely ain't clean.
4x15 Death Takes a Holiday: So, if Death ain't in town-
5x12 Swap Meat: Your life ain't that bad.
5x14 My Bloody Valentine: Yeah, if there's a pattern here, it ain't just love.
6X08 All Dogs Go To Heaven: It ain't a werewolf, for one. (Note: that's Soulless Sam)
6x11 Appointment in Samarra: And it sure as hell ain't your head that's gonna explode when this whole scheme of yours goes sideways! (Note: Soulless Sam.)
6x18 Frontierland: Sarsaparilla ain't half bad.
7x09 How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters: Well, Motel 6 just ain't leaving the light on anymore. / Um, but whatever this thing is, it's not the Jersey Devil, but it sure as hell ain't Gerald Browder anymore.
Dean's best ain'ts:
1x01 Pilot: Yeah, well, hunting ain't exactly a pro ball career.
1x06 Skin: This whole gig - it ain’t without perks.
1x21 Salvation: That evil son of a bitch ain't getting any older than tonight, you understand me?
1x22 Devil's Trap: I know my Dad better than anyone. And you ain’t him.
2x06 No Exit: Sweetheart, this ain't gender studies.
3x01 The Magnificent Seven: I ain't sweating the cholesterol.
5x05 Fallen Idols: You ain't steering this boat.
5x13 In The Beginning: Well, you know I ain't gonna say yes, so why are you here?
5x18 Point of No Return: And when Satan takes you over, there's got to be somebody there to fight him, and it ain't gonna be that kid.
5x22 Swan Song: Ain't he a little angel? / Well, then I ain't gonna let him die alone.
6x06 You Can't Handle The Truth: I ain't a father. I'm a killer.
6x07 Family Matters: We ain't your employees.
7x10 Death's Door: Deciding to jump a famous guy ain't all upside.
7x12 Time After Time: Don't give me that dirty-diaper look. I ain't calling you.
A confession: I love the word "ain't". In my work and social circles no remotely educated person says "ain't", and I don't think it's used much in Australia at all (please correct me if I'm wrong on that). In my head, though, and when talking to my horses, I use it all the time: Hmm, that ain't gonna work! or Don't worry, it ain't gonna hurt you! I think I probably picked this up as a teenager reading and rereading Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove.
OK, I've wallowed in bad grammar enough for one day.
The answer: 12 times in 141 episodes to date, compared to Dean's 51 times.
Sam's ain'ts:
1x18 Something Wicked: So, assuming we can kill it when it eats, we gotta find the thing first. It ain't gonna be a cakewalk.
3x13 Ghostfacers: Look, Ed, we ain't got much time here, buddy. / That ghost ain't it.
4x13 After School Special: (regarding EMF on the bus) Definitely ain't clean.
4x15 Death Takes a Holiday: So, if Death ain't in town-
5x12 Swap Meat: Your life ain't that bad.
5x14 My Bloody Valentine: Yeah, if there's a pattern here, it ain't just love.
6X08 All Dogs Go To Heaven: It ain't a werewolf, for one. (Note: that's Soulless Sam)
6x11 Appointment in Samarra: And it sure as hell ain't your head that's gonna explode when this whole scheme of yours goes sideways! (Note: Soulless Sam.)
6x18 Frontierland: Sarsaparilla ain't half bad.
7x09 How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters: Well, Motel 6 just ain't leaving the light on anymore. / Um, but whatever this thing is, it's not the Jersey Devil, but it sure as hell ain't Gerald Browder anymore.
Dean's best ain'ts:
1x01 Pilot: Yeah, well, hunting ain't exactly a pro ball career.
1x06 Skin: This whole gig - it ain’t without perks.
1x21 Salvation: That evil son of a bitch ain't getting any older than tonight, you understand me?
1x22 Devil's Trap: I know my Dad better than anyone. And you ain’t him.
2x06 No Exit: Sweetheart, this ain't gender studies.
3x01 The Magnificent Seven: I ain't sweating the cholesterol.
5x05 Fallen Idols: You ain't steering this boat.
5x13 In The Beginning: Well, you know I ain't gonna say yes, so why are you here?
5x18 Point of No Return: And when Satan takes you over, there's got to be somebody there to fight him, and it ain't gonna be that kid.
5x22 Swan Song: Ain't he a little angel? / Well, then I ain't gonna let him die alone.
6x06 You Can't Handle The Truth: I ain't a father. I'm a killer.
6x07 Family Matters: We ain't your employees.
7x10 Death's Door: Deciding to jump a famous guy ain't all upside.
7x12 Time After Time: Don't give me that dirty-diaper look. I ain't calling you.
A confession: I love the word "ain't". In my work and social circles no remotely educated person says "ain't", and I don't think it's used much in Australia at all (please correct me if I'm wrong on that). In my head, though, and when talking to my horses, I use it all the time: Hmm, that ain't gonna work! or Don't worry, it ain't gonna hurt you! I think I probably picked this up as a teenager reading and rereading Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove.
OK, I've wallowed in bad grammar enough for one day.