Sunday, March 27, 2011

Redneck

The idea that the term 'redneck' originated from laborers and farmers who had sun burnt or red necks is a myth! The term actually originated during the American coal mining wars of the 1920's among the people of the Appalachian Mountain region. Union workers were losing their jobs during this time because joining a worker's union was then thought to be communist and even treasonous, so a war broke out between Union and non-union coal miners. When the union and non-union workers fought, the non-union workers wore white arm bands and the union workers wore red bandanas around their necks so the term for a union worker then became 'redneck.' Nascar, which is now one of the most popular spectator sports in America, orignated from stock car races held by the same group of 'rednecks' which is why it is still, to this day, called a 'redneck' sport. (I saw this on the History Channel and thought it was interesting, especially since my grandchildren asked me just the other day what a redneck was and I didn't know the correct answer! Now I do!)

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