It is in the dictionary now, despite a jocular saying WSJ Crossword Clue
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The most common and recent 4-letter answer for "It is in the dictionary now, despite a jocular saying" is AINT.
The clue refers to the phrase 'ain't ain't in the dictionary,' which was a common saying used to imply that 'ain't' is not a proper word. However, 'ain't' has been included in dictionaries despite its informal status, making the saying outdated.
This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on December 22, 2025.
Ain't is an informal contraction for 'am not,' 'is not,' 'are not,' 'has not,' or 'have not.'
"I don't really care / If ya think I'm strange / I ___ gonna change": Joan Jett, Isn't wrong?, “___ No Way” (Aretha Franklin song), Isn’t informal?, "Say it ___ so!"
The clue “It is in the dictionary now, despite a jocular saying” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated December 22 2025, the definitive 4-letter answer is: AINT.
Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.
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