Why is North Carolina Tarheels called TARHEELS?

Answer 1

from the days of tobacco. they would work the tobacco fields and get tobacco tar on their heels.

Answer 2

I'm from North Carolina. The answer you seek dates back even further than the Civil War. (The thing about Leei s true, but they were called TarHeels much prior to then and he was making a witty pun. Another Civil War quotation is how the Charlotte Hornets got their name because Grant called Charlotte a "hornet's nest".)

But, tarheels has been a reference since the 1600's when NC was the original colony's number one pine tree and tar producer. The colonial "lumberjack's", tree sappers, and furniture makers were collectively known as "TarHeels". It was originally a deragatory term, but in time evolved into a source of pride.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia.

The exact etymology of the nickname is unknown, but most experts believe its roots come from the fact that tar, pitch and turpentine created from the vast pine forests were one of North Carolina's most important exports early in the state's history.

EDIT: I assure you, my answer is 100% correct, let's get a more credible source then. I'll search Encarta.

And this is direct from Yahoo! Education! THE ONLY answer it has...

ETYMOLOGY:
Perhaps from the tar that was once a major product of the state

I'm from NC and I'm no hick, btw... ever heard of Chapel Hill and Duke University? They're only the two leading medical centers in the entire country. Duke has the leading cancer center IN THE WORLD.

Answer 3

Their mascot is a ram. These rams have tar on their heels. It is unclear if this has anything to do with the fact that North Carolina is the "Tarheel State"... like Florida is the "Sunshine State".

It's pretty funny how that UNC fan got all defensive before anyone even said anything. My question is: why is Hansbrough so soft and why do they insist on popping their collars and painting everything on their campus that awful powder blue?

Answer 4

We have been Tarheels since colonial days or for over 400 years. Its basis was in the pine pitch indeed, as it was a very coveted comodity by the English empire. It was used as a sealent by the Royal Navy.

Rope was treated with it and used to seal between the hull planking. One of many uses.

As far as the "hornet's nest" reference to Charlotte, it comes from the Revolutionary War and not the War Between the States. General Cornwallis attempted to pass through the area after several detachments of his, accompanied by Loyalists or Tories lost battles at King's Mountain and Cowpens.

Grant was never anywhere near Charlotte!

Cornwallis was met by a loose conglomeration of Patriots who used Indian tactics of ambush, sniping and sabotage. Cornwallis elected to bypass Charlotte instead of trying to capture the little burg, calling it a "hornets's nest of rebellion". He continued north toward Greensboro where what many consider to be the pivotal battle in the Southern campaign took place. Cornwallis fought against 4,400 Regular and Irregular troops commanded by Maj General Nathanial Green.

The British were soundly defeated. Cornwallis lost a quarter of his 1,900 men and nearly a third of his officers.

"I never saw such fighting since God made me. The Americans fought like demons.
Lt. Gen. Charles,
Earl Cornwallis.

He was forced to withdraw to the coast some 200 miles away to a little town called Yorktown, in hopes of being able to evacuate by sea by the Royal Navy, back to the easy theater in the North, but the French Navy blocked his exit. The rest is shall we say, history.

The nickname Tarheels was considered a derogatory term until General Lee used it as a compliment. Following an engagement in which a NC regiment held the line to allow an orderly withdrawal from the field, it was recorded that General Lee said "God bless the Tarheel boys". From that moment the term was carrried with pride by all North Carolinians.

As the remainder of the Carolina regiment rejoined the main force, the Carolina boys ribbed the Virginians. "There is no more pitch in NC" said the 'heels' to the Virginians. "Ole General Lee done bought it all up. He's going to put it on your heels so y'all will stick better in the next fight."

Answer 5

Well, their are several answers so I'm going to try and help you out. According to my teacher who is UNC Alumni, it was because of a quote from General Lee about the volunteers from North Carolina (One of the largest group of volunteers, accounting enough men for 5 other states combined [including South Carolina]. As the oncoming Union soldiers overtook and soldiers retreated without command, he stated that they must have tar on their heels, being too stubborn to retreat until the order was given.

This is why the state is named the "Tar-Heel State" and that is why the college was named the "Tar Heels."

Answer 6

The name comes from the state nickname, "Tar Heels" (2 words). Sources vary, ranging from the Civil War and the reputation of NC soldiers fighting valiantly and holding their positions, summed up as fighting like they had tar on their heels. The other probably source is that NC soldiers were rather ill-equipped during the Civil War and many had to march wearing worn boots, resulting in tar from the many pine trees in the state being stuck to their heels. Neither is historically proven, but all the same these are the leading tales that explain the name.
And by the way, UNC happens to be one of the premier universities in the US and the world, and the people of NC lead the nation in technological development and medical research, so we don't appreciate cheap knocks on behalf of someone's envy and/or dislike of our sports' programs.

Answer 7

Not really an answer but lizzie sounds like a jealous Duke or NC State fan, Go Heels!!!

Answer 8

it dates back to the civil war when gen lee seen the n.c. troops in battle. he said them carolina boys look like they had tar on their heels because they stuck in battle.

Answer 9

Because TARHOLES is considered politically incorrect.

Answer 10

Didn't some dinosaurs die in tar?