What is a Redneck? I keep hearing Americans call each other this!?

Question

From a confused Englishman

Answer 1

Didn't realize Americans said it that much. Maybe because I'm black.
Rednecks were the poor whites who worked in the feilds so their necks became red and sunburned. Now heir descendants and other poor whites are called this. They are people who live in places like Kentucky, West Virginia, and the deep south (Mississippi, Alabama). Some people in these areas used to marry their cousins, for example, the Blue Fugates, from Kentucky. People who live in trailer parks, make moonshine, have outdoor toilets, act in a country way, and say things like "The South will rise again" and carry around Confederate flags in their pick up trucks (which they call pick 'em up trucks). These are rednecks.

Answer 2

Redneck is term civilized city folks use to describe their rural neighbors. They can be from anywhere USA but the more agricultural a state the larger the percentage of rednecks.
Redneck first appeared in the American slang in the early 20th century. Coal miners in West Virginia were trying to organize a union for better pay and working conditions. Mine owners employed men to go to the union organization meetings to beat up the attendees. The hired goons wore red bandannas around their necks to identify each other so they could tell who was on which side of the brawl. The term was used by the miners to describe an individual who would sell out their neighbor for a dollar.

Answer 3

In modern usage, the term redneck predominantly refers to a particular stereotype of individuals living in Appalachia, the Southern United States, the Ozarks, and later the Rocky Mountain States. The word can be used either as a pejorative or as a matter of pride, depending on context.

Usage of the term "Redneck" generally differs from Hick and Hillbilly, because Rednecks reject or resist assimilation into the dominant culture, while Hicks and Hillbillies theoretically are isolated from the dominant culture. In this way, the term Redneck is similar to the word Cracker.

Answer 4

Generally it refers to people in the southeastern United States who are less, shall we say, refined than others. But you can find rednecks anywhere over here, there just seems to be more in the southeastern states. Listen to Jeff Foxworthy's "You Know You're A Redneck" and you will have your answer.

They tend to have little scrupples or finesse. They talk with a heavy accent, often slurring two or three words into one. They say 'y'all' instead of 'you all'. They are also called hillbillies, if you are familiar with that term.

On the positive side, they are one of the most loyal of people. They will defend and protect the weak and helpless. They are very polite and patient. They can cook like you wouldn't believe!

Answer 5

red·neck ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rdnk)
n. Offensive Slang
Used as a disparaging term for a member of the white rural laboring class, especially in the southern United States.
A white person regarded as having a provincial, conservative, often bigoted attitude.

Answer 6

It's a term, sometimes degoratory, for people from the Southern parts of the US. Especially farmers and Southerners in rural areas. These are/were easily identified by having sunburns on their necks as a result of staying in the sun for prolonged periods while working the fields.

Answer 7

George Bush

Answer 8

Its an American stereotype. The "country folk", "simple minded people"...ooo..just like "hillbillies". Ever heard of any of those? Its the people who live in the country, work on farms and dont' use proper english. Its just a stereotype.

Answer 9

I asked some Americans this about two months ago and what I got out of it was they are more or less like our punks or hells angels.

Answer 10

i changed into sitting interior the waiting room of the health center after my spouse had lengthy gone into labour and the nurse walked out and suggested to the guy sitting next to me, "Congratulations sir, you're the hot father of twins!" the guy responded, "How about that, I artwork for the Doublemint Chewing Gum employer." the guy then followed the lady to his spouse's room. about an hour later, a similar nurse entered the waiting room and presented that Mr. Smith's spouse has only had triplets. Mr. Smith stood up and suggested, "properly, how do ya like that, I artwork for the 3M employer." The gentleman that changed into sitting next to me then were given up and began to go away. after I requested him why he changed into leaving, he remarked, "i imagine i want a breath of sparkling air." the guy persevered, "I artwork for 7-UP."