Didn't do Nothing

[Wells]

Not to be confused with the bastardized political catchphrase used to mock sympathizers of black protests. This is the actual phrase, "didn't do nothing", which i've heard from all races.

Why do people say this shit? "Didn't do nothing" implies that they did SOMETHING. Yet when people use it, they're proclaiming innocense.

What kind of shit is that?

Some people like creating racist stereotypes to easily dismiss claims they don't agree with but can't engage at a deeper level.

Some people are shitty like that.

[Macaquerie]

The word you are looking for is irrigardlessly.

I believe that's "the word your looking for".

[Dezerte]

It wasn't me.

[Elim Garak]

I prefer "ain't did nothing" one.

[Rudkobing]

They don't want to get in trouble.

/shrug

[Kuntantee]

Doesn't "didn't do nothing" mean you did something? Two negations make a truth.

[Elim Garak]

Doesn't "didn't do nothing" mean you did something? Two negations make a truth.

No, it doesn't.

[Fargus]

Not always true in spoken language! Actually one of the reasons why language change occurs - things sound better, someone picks it up, herds of people follow, and suddenly all your major vowels shift and you're stuck with weird words like feet and foot.

It sounds better?

No, it sounds fucking stupid.

[Kuntantee]

No, it doesn't.

I thought the correct form of the sentence is "I did nothing".

[Elim Garak]

I thought the correct form of the sentence is "I did nothing".

Unless one wants to stress the nothingness of their deed.

[Kuntantee]

Unless one wants to stress the nothingness of their deed.

A quick search on google made me conclude that "I didn't do nothing" is semantically incorrect to use if the intention is to say one didn't do anything. Also, there doesn't seem to be such a phrase in English. It's nothing more than a shitty slang phrase it seems.

[Collegeguy]

Comes from white rednecks, and was passed on to black rednecks. They just don't think logically I guess - if they did they'd see the double negative. (btw I think the dindu thing is more about those who sympathize with criminals who are given vigils, although that's a different topic).

We need to decolonize language black rednecks speak.

[shadowmouse]

Many of you seem to need a homework assignment -- go study up on AAVE.

[Asiwassaying]

When I was young and lived in the ghetto, I said that a lot. Now that I am an adult and have a basic education, I say "I didn't do (whatever it is you think I did )"

[Kapadons]

Some people like creating racist stereotypes to easily dismiss claims they don't agree with but can't engage at a deeper level.

Some people are shitty like that.

Oh you mean like "muh gender rolls" wasn't a stereotype draped with racism?

[Shibito]

Some people like creating racist stereotypes to easily dismiss claims they don't agree with but can't engage at a deeper level.

Some people are shitty like that.

That goes both ways too.

[yoda608]

[nextormento]

We don't need no education.

Negative concord is a thing in several languages (mine -Spanish-, for instance). If one spends some time around non native speakers, they're bound to see those patterns emerge here and there.
Litotes can also employ a correct occurrence of double negatives.

[Noradin]

Languages aren't mathematics and do not need to employ the standard logic rules for negations that most of us learn in school (there are other rules and other logics, too).
Thus, double negations do not necessarily express a positive. They were the rule in English dialects of past times, even.

[Deleted]

That's annoying, sure.

But, compare it to "I would of..."

I mean... I can't even write the rest of what I wanted out of pure frustration.

"Hey, did you do homework?"

"I would of (!!!!!!) done it but didn't have time. "

All language errors seem benign compared to this one.

The worst thing is when someone with any British accent says it.


"I wOooOuld OFFF done it!!!"