Does anyone know the origin of the term, 'Redneck'?

[subi-crosser]

I do, but I was curious to see what answers I get.

The only hints I will give are that it came about in the 1930's and applied to a certain group. It also originated in West Virginia.

Any takers??

[techy101]

From Wikipedia...

A popular etymology says that the term derives from such individuals having a red neck caused by working outdoors in the sunlight over the course of their lifetime. The effect of decades of direct sunlight on the exposed skin of the back of the neck not only reddens fair skin, but renders it leathery and tough, and typically very wrinkled and spotted by late middle age. Similarly, some historians claim that the term redneck originated in 17th century Virginia, because indentured servants were sunburnt while tending plantation crops.

Another popular etymology is that the term was originally used by African Americans as a pejorative for white people in general, in the same manner that peckerwood and ofay were coined by blacks.

It is clear that by the post-Reconstruction era (after the departure of Federal troops from the American South in 1874-1878), the term had worked its way into popular usage. Several blackface minstrel shows used the word in a derogatory manner, comparing slave life over that of the poor rural whites. This may have much to do with the social, political and economic struggle between Populists, the Redeemers and Republican Carpetbaggers of the post-Civil War South and Appalachia, where the new middle class of the South (professionals, bankers, industrialists) displaced the pre-war planter class as the leaders of the Southern states. The Populist movement, with its message of economic equality, represented a threat to the status quo. The use of a derogative term, such as redneck to belittle the working class, would have assisted in the gradual disenfranchisement of most of the Southern lower class, both black and white, which occurred by 1910.

Another popular theory stems from the use of red bandanas tied around the neck to signify union affiliation during the violent clashes between United Mine Workers and coal mine owners between 1910 and 1920 (this theory was stated as fact by the 2007 History Channel documentary "Hillbilly: the real story", which claimed that a New York reporter had seen the bandanas and coined the term). But while this theory may explain a greater popularization of the term, it cannot be considered an explanation for the origin of the term because of the considerable evidence of the widespread previous use of the expression.

[svxcess]

I agree with the red bandana answer.

It involved the struggle to unionize mine workers in the southwestern part of West Virginia during the 20s. Today, the United Mine Workers still has most of its power concentrated in West Virginia

During the 1920s and into the 1930s, there was a period of intense union organizing and labor disagreements in the northern and central Appalachian coalfields. Striking native-born and immigrant union miners occasionally tied red handkerchiefs around their necks or arms so that fellow union men from nearby mines could readily identify them. This red bandana, a preexisting symbol of their work, united miners of various races and ethnicities for a common purpose.

The UMW sometimes even distributed these handkerchiefs to miners during strikes.This visual identification marker was critical during shoot-outs with company guards, sheriffs deputies, and state militias, when it was vital for one's survival to be able to distinguish friend from enemy.

.

[bwb3]

PBS TV just had a several hour special on Appalachia. Svxces's accounting is in line with their report.
Gene

[immortal_suby]

The southern explanation I got was that it began from poor Irish immigrants and the sunburn they would get on their necks.

[ensteele]

I know of a couple that don't have sunburns.

[Trevor]

But for all of us not conversant with US folk law ---- what is the exact meaning of the term "red neck", as used and applied in THIS day and age. One of us could very well put a foot in it if we use the term.

[svxistentialist]

I'd like to know too Trevor.

Being Irish and subject to sunburn [we only see it on occasion!], I probably qualify under one or two of those headings.

However, anecdotally, I have read that this redneck tribe tend to live in buildings with large satellite dishes connected up and vehicles, possibly pickup trucks, up on blocks out front.

I've also seen it put about that they have the biggest inflatable Santas at Christmas, but if that's really true then some of them have migrated over here recently.

And if you read up Subicrosser's signature, you will learn a little about their philosophy on life.

[Trevor]

Thanks Joe,

But are these red necked buggers, bad, good, just stupid or what exactly?

[Turbone]

This is a light hearted explanation of a redneck. Altho, alot of it can be called true
http://www.fortogden.com/foredneck.html

[svxistentialist]

Thanks Turbone.

Magic.

[bwb3]

Here is a link to a photo collection of all things associated with being a Redneck.
Gene
http://boortz.com/more/funny/redneck_pics.html

[subi-crosser]

Originally Posted by bwb3

Here is a link to a photo collection of all things associated with being a Redneck.
Gene
http://boortz.com/more/funny/redneck_pics.html

No matter where you look in the 'history' section. There is no mention of your wife being your sister or first cousin. There is no mention of trailers, big tires or primer paint.

There is only mention of people that worked the dirt, built the buildings, railroads, etc. There is also mention of people that grabbed the shotgun and faced the 'oppressors' of the 20 th century. IN WEST VIRGINIA and any other 'front' that demanded their attention! They marched to battle BIG MONEY, when big money controled all aspects of life. Big money owned a lot of people that would do whatever the big money told them to do. They owned your home, handed you your paycheck, controled your 'law enforcement'. If they didn't agree with your law enforcement, they shot them down. They controled a lot of things that they should NOT have power over.

This post has a lot to do with a 'thing/post' that has been mentioned here recently.

I recently found out from my Congressman, that 'Big Money' is NOT something that they have control over! In fact, Big Money will beat YOUR Congerssman up for BOTHERING them with the concerns of a mere citizen!

The only way we have to 'defend' ourselves, is to BOYCOTT the 'Big Money'!

The 'moral' thing to do is to 'introduce' them to their Maker. The only 'Legal' thing we can do is to call the ba$tard$ what they are. LOAN SHARKS!! and refuse to play their game!

Big money, substitue coal companies here in place of VISA, still controls every aspect of your life. The only differance is that you don't have as many 'Rednecks' as you need to fight them!

I am REDNECK!! I will wear a bandana if I need to. I will fight 'Big Money' with you and for you! I just wish that the people would rally round the fighters and give them the support that they need to fight the good fight!
Burn your credit cards, Ignore banks and use your credit unoins!

Eliminate your credit card debt and tell them WHY you decided to do it!

Really foil the ba$tard$ and pay CASH for all transactions!
Just like Grandpa did! WE can take our country back! They only have as much power over us as we allow them to take.

The credit card companies are exactly the same as the big coal companies that murdered the 'union' people 80 years ago. The only differance is that they will murder you financially, and you will PAY again and again to try to get to the truth!

I have WASTED over $50,000 dollars to get the 'truth' represented in my own financial matters. I have even included my Congressman and recieved a 'form letter'.

I have paid a debt to Lowes and paid a lawyer to force them Ba$tard$ To report the 'facts' to experion 6 YEARS after the debt was paid!

TOO much power, NO accountability! They can LIE about you and you have to spend dollars and time to get the TRUTH!!

May they all burn in HELL!!

The only defense we have left is the 'Rednecks' that won't take it laying down! ( just like the 10,000 guys that marched on Mingo County!)

Redneck, Someone that will work in the sun to build a country and hide behind a tree with a shotgun to defend that country from oppressors.

(Be it from abroad or domestic).

[TomsSVX]

I know where the term originated but... When I hear it I expect to here a spittoon ring shortly after

Tom

[YourConfused]

What a rant!
And yeah, I am working on a +50K lawsuit against an entity myself. I have won twice according to my lawyer, but the law does nothing for you if the other guy doesn't put up a fight. A single person stands no chance in our world even iff that person follows all the rules.

Note to self: Legality is vanity.

I think the term is : "pissing into the wind."