What are Red-necks?

[sunnycrest]

Why are some people in America known as red-necks? I know it isn't a pleasant term to be known as.

[Clanad]

Used to be a derogatory term for farm workers, primarily in the southern States.  I originated, I expect, from having a red neck from all the sun.  In the last few years it has become almost a term of grudging respect signifying native intelligence, free from snobbery and the put on airs of the upper classes.  A comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, has made a career of describing red necks and explaining their outlook and behavior...

[commoner]

..........In modern usage, redneck predominantly refers to a particular stereotype of whites from the Southern United States. The word can be used either as a pejorative or as a matter of pride, depending on context.........commoner ;-)

[Ouisch]

As Clanad said, the original term described a farm laborer, but today "redneck" primarily refers to a good-ol'-boy Southern dude who drives a pick-up truck with a Confederate flag in the back window.  He's got appliances on his front porch and a hound dog underneath it. 

[Quizmonster]

It was a religious term of abuse before it was an agricultural one. 'Redneck' has been a derogatory term used by one social/religious group about another for a very long time. For example, in parts of England it was used by Protestants to refer to Catholics and that situation was reversed in the Southern States of the USA. Likewise, Afrikaaners in South Africa applied the name 'rooinek' to the English settlers. More generally, though, it has been applied by the upper classes to the lower, farm-labouring classes, presumably because the latter had to toil in the fields and got sunburnt as a result, as suggested above. 
The earliest recorded written use of the word is in a book by A. Royall called 'Southern Tour'. It says: "Red Necks, a name bestowed upon the Presbyterians of Lafayetteville".

[spudqueen]

and according to Jeff Foxworthy (Clanads answer): a redneck is someone with a complete absence of sophistication

[Elliem]

We still use this term in all seriousness here in Canada and when we say it it is not with pride, it's meant to be used as an offense and in Canada it's primarily associated with racism and ignorance.  We also use it to explain a person's lack of cultural understanding, their penchance for aggression and their political views.  I can't think of a single Canadian who would use the term 'red-neck' with pride!