Don't un-count your chickens until you know they are dead
Hello,

Is it an exaggerated expression of "count your chickens"?

If then or not, can you help me how to understand this? Why do we count chickens as we are not farmers?

Thank you in advance.

Dan

Question

Don't un-count your chickens until you know they are dead
Hello,

Is it an exaggerated expression of "count your chickens"?

If then or not, can you help me how to understand this? Why do we count chickens as we are not farmers?

Thank you in advance.

Dan

Answer

It is a play on words form a more-normal figurative expression.
.
"Do not count your chickens before they are hatched" means do not assume everything will go well. Do not assume things will be 100% successful.
Yes, a farming analogue.  It is a warning not to be too optimistic.
.
Your version.
"Don't un-count your chickens until you know they are dead."
Says do not assume the worst until it is proven.
Things may not be bad.
For example something is not going weel, but it may yet recover.
It is a suggestion to not be too pessimistic.

Answer

From now on, I'm going to use this version!

Answer

“Don’t count your chickens ...” is well-known and standard.
“Don’t uncount you chickens ...” isn’t known or standard.

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