Do you consider it a a derogatory term?
2007-03-12 00:19:10 · 6 answers · asked by Yellowstonedogs 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Yes and no.
In it's original context, it was used to describe hard working people who worked outdoors and in the fields...... farmers, mainly.
It meant an honest dedicated worker who put in so many hours working in the sun that the back of his neck turned red from sunburn. It was a thing to be proud of.
Then people who had easier and better paying jobs started looking down on folks who had to toil in the sun all day, and they began calling them "rednecks".
Now, it's used as a derogatory term, meaning most Southerners in general, especially ones with low paying jobs beer bellies, pick-up trucks or people who live in trailers.
My grandpa was proud to be a "redneck", and I always loved to see his "farmers tan" when he would come in the house to wash up at night. His hands, neck and face were all dark red and leathery, but the rest of him was as white as snow.
2007-03-12 01:31:52 · answer #1 · answered by Kate 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
redneck
A slang term, usually for a rural white southerner who is politically conservative, racist, and a religious fundamentalist This term is generally considered offensive. It originated in reference to agricultural workers, alluding to how the back of a person's neck will be burned by the sun if he works long hours in the fields.
2007-03-12 00:42:40 · answer #2 · answered by Basement Bob 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where the term came from. Maybe because all the laborers have sunburnt necks from working outside all day? But it isn't a negative term for people around here. We actually refer to our way of life as hillbilly redneck, but smart ones.
2007-03-12 15:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am a redneck living in pennsylvania so its not contained to the southern states :) i would rather be a redneck then a hypocrite. i farm. i dont drive a fancy car, wear fancy clothes,dont accept welfare,foodstamps. i go to church every sunday, and live according to G-ds rule. my children may not be the best dressed in school but they are the best behaved, in manners and in morals. while it may be derogatory to some , to be called a redneck - its fine with me.
2007-03-12 00:58:11 · answer #4 · answered by kayann01 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not really.
rednecks aren't as sensetive as "some" species.
Redneck came from people "poor" working in the hot sun to put food on the table.
Their necks were always bright red from the sun.
2007-03-12 00:24:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
That's easy, I'm quite positive it started with my husband.
Son is the TOTAL opposite. Go figure.
2007-03-12 00:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Im Listening 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋