history of term

[trevoric]

does anyone know the history behind the the slur/label REDNECK eminating out of the deep south of the united states?

[Ethel]

It is a reference to the look of deeply sunburned necks from spending a working life bent over in the fields in the glaring sun.

Equivalent to our country bumkin I suppose.

Everything you could possibly want to know, and more, about rednecks here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rednecks

[Clanad]

Discussed previously here:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question134599.html

[Sunnie]

Also, it mean: A white person regarded as having a provincial, conservative, often bigoted attitudes: A slang term, usually for a rural white southerner who is politically conservative, racist, and a religious fundamentalist (see fundamentalism). 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.

[dot.hawkes]

When I was at school, the lads used to call the lads from the catholic School redlegs i think, what does that mean?

[trevoric]

wow thanks for your replies extremly informative