Construction "ain't history"

[Molly]

Is it true that the contracted form ain't was once used by both the English upper classes and the English lower classes?

[MrPedantic]

Yes.

MrP

[Molly]

[MrPedantic]

Why did they stop saying "damn your eyes!" and wearing knee-breeches?

MrP

[Molly]

[MrPedantic]

You can find examples of "upper class ain't" in e.g. Byron's letters.

(Of course, they are worth reading for several other reasons too.)

MrP

[Prezbucky]

I suppose one of the pros of "ain't" is its flexibility -- it's used to take the place of at least four common contractions... and after a crappy day at work, I'm not gonna tax myself trying to figure out more (hehe):

Isn't
Aren't
Hasn't
Haven't
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Prezbucky]

I ain't had a good day at work.

hehe
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.