REDNECK

Defined by Merriam-Webster.

n. red-"nek

Sometimes disparaging: a white member of the Southern rural laboring class.
Often disparaging: a person whose behavior and opinions are similar to those attributed to rednecks.

-rednecked

The term redneck has taken several forms over the course and development of the civilized world.

The term Afrikaans Rooinek, which translated literally means redneck, is a disparaging term the Boers used to apply to the British and later became associated with any European immigrant to South Africa as detailed by David Wilton at UselessKnowledge.com. Wilton also states there is a tale in which it referred to striking coal miners who wore red bandannas as a means of group identification. The Anglo-Boer War was a conflict between British Imperialists and the Afrikaner Nationalists at the turn of the 19^th Century. The British wanted to unite all of South Africa. There were two main Boer states, the South African Republic(Transvaal), and the Orange Free State. The war escalated soon after gold was found in the land. One of the more formal definitions, a reference to pellagra, a disease caused by vitamin deficiency, may have been the true meaning for the term redneck. More can be found at http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/.

Another cause for the evolution of the term may come from those who had sunburned necks from working in the fields all day. That term also became a loose fitting term for the Native American who had a darker complexion than the Europeans who colonized America.

Whatever the case, the more modern term redneck has evolved into the more Southern, rural, white member of the laboring class and a disparaging reference to the dialect. Often called Slack jawed or a Yokel, the person often is associated with non-traditional behavior and opinions that may be outdated or modifications to more traditional language or terms.

The redneck is often portrayed as slow, shallow in thought, and regulated to the rural areas, often out of their element when introduced to new concepts or ideas.

Media stereotypes include certain types of country music, commedians, television shows and movies.

Modifications.

Redneck as defined by David Wilton, "Dates back to around 1830, when it was first used to denote the Presbyterians of Fayetteville. The significance of the name is somewhat obscure. Three explanations are commonly offered. However, in modern terms it takes other forms."

Reference to a ‘ruddy’ neck caused by anger.
Reference to sunburned necks caused by working in the fields all day.

3) Reference to pellagra which turns the neck red.

More can be found at UselessKnowledge.com.

Red-Neck- defined by Greg Singleton of Alabama.

"The struggle for equality and dignity has been a long and difficult one. Nevertheless, various gender, racial and other groups in the United States have received the protection of law against those who would bar their access to full participation and deny the basic dignity of their human worth.

Yet, there is one group which, in spite of the invaluable contribution it has made to this nation in times of war and peace, is the recipient of the most vile, demeaning and continuous degradation in the annals of American History: the Red-Neck. We are the one group that has been and continues to be the target of humor. From Al Capp to that race traitor, Brett Butler, we have been accused of sub-human mentality and behavior. In college class rooms across the country, we have been systematically and unfairly stereotyped in sociology, history, and literature courses. One only has to mention the jukes, Scopes and Tobacco Road to get a cheap laugh at our expense."

More demands set forth by Mr. Singleton along with a humorous look at proposed Red-Neck studies can be found at his website http://www.neiu.edu/~ghsingle/rn.htm

The 15^th New York Calvary "The Red Neck Ties" http://www.15thnewyorkcalvary.com/

Gives the history and bravado of The 15^th New York Cavalry who wore red neck ties as part of George Armstrong Custer’s division of the Army of the Potomac in 1863.

The group participates in reenactments, parades, and living history demonstrations.

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