Cunnin', as in "Ain't she cunnin'"

While the word "cunning" usually means clever or tricky, it has another meaning that is used a lot here in Maine, "cute in a charming way, or adorable."

Typically, this word is used to describe small children, and the 'g' sound is dropped, as is often the case in Maine. "Isn't she cunning," is a common way of saying it, but even more common is "ain't she cunnin'." Lest you think that only people with poor grammar use the word "cunnin'," let me set you straight. The use of "ain't" is an older colloquial (conversational) form of "isn't" that ain't wrong; it's just different, and it's been preserved for generations in populations around the country. Thank goodness it has. The people who have held on to "ain't" are likely the same folks who have held on to "cunnin'."

So, is it only used to talk about cute kids? No, but because it is so often used in that way, when it is used with other objects, it tends to imply childishness, naivete, or other qualities we associate with a toddler, and so it can be used sarcastically to mean the opposite of cute. Imagine a friend who went out for a walk coming back covered in wet leaves and mud. It wouldn't be at all a stretch to laugh and say, "well, aren't you cunnin'!"

Now ya know!