
Ain'T by Gelett Burgess (1895)
Ain'T is a humorous poem written by Gelett Burgess that pokes fun at the use of incorrect grammar and spelling in everyday speech. The poem was first published in 1906 and has since become a classic example of light verse.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Educational · 60 words
First lines
Now "ain't" is a word That is very absurd To use for an "isn't" or "aren't."
Ask Teacher about it: She'll say, "Do without it!"
I wish you would see if you can't!
What this Textopian page supports
Ain'T is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gelett Burgess, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Educational
- Length: 60 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ain'T by Gelett Burgess
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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- How does this poem by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyming lines.
- Humor — The playful tone and absurdity of the subject matter suggest a humorous intent.
- Educational — The content addresses language usage and implicitly teaches about proper grammar.
Tags
humor · poetry · satire · language · wordplay · American literature · nonsense · quirky · creative writing · rhymes · literary style · playful
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