The term originally characterized farmers that had a red neck, caused by sunburn from long hours working in the fields. A citation from 1893 provides a definition as “poorer inhabitants of the rural districts … men who work in the field, as a matter of course, generally have their skin stained red and burnt by the sun, and especially is this true of the back of their necks”.[12] Hats were usually worn and they protected that wearer’s head from the sun, but also provided psychological protection by shading the face from close scrutiny.[13] The back of the neck however was more exposed to the sun and allowed closer scrutiny about the person’s background in the same way callused working hands could not be easily covered.

By 1900, “rednecks” was in common use to designate the political factions inside the Democratic Party comprising poor white farmers in the South.[14] The same group was also often called the “wool hat boys” (for they opposed the rich men, who wore expensive silk hats). A newspaper notice in Mississippi in August 1891 called on rednecks to rally at the polls at the upcoming primary election:[15]

  • Ogmios@sh.itjust.works
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    4 months ago

    The entire reason it became an insult was because of wealthy urbanites disparaging the working class.

      • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        You just reminded me of that news blooper.

        “I so pale…” “you’re on…” first news reporter starts the news report as if nothing happened, while the second one stiffles giggles

        I swear they both give of a Pam Beasley vibe. So two Pams, and they have a Pam/Jim vibe with each other, and one is “so pale”.

    • phoneymouse@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Did you know the invention of lawns was also a way to flaunt that you were wealthy enough to have unfarmed land?

      • edric@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        I hate lawns so much, but there’s no other option unless you go for a townhouse/condo, which are more expensive in my area because of the great location. Why would anyone want to use and pay for extra water, then mow and trim every other week, for a patch of grass that doesn’t provide any benefit as a plant.

      • kbal@fedia.io
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        4 months ago

        Whatever you call the kind of bigotry your comment represents it’s no better. Thank you for reminding us all that it’s still around.

        • grue@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          Being “bigoted” against racists is infinitely better than being racist. Moral-relativist false equivalences can fuck all the way off.

          • kbal@fedia.io
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            4 months ago

            I am talking about being bigoted against “rednecks” who are mostly no more racist than everyone else. I grew up in redneck territory and support those who reclaim it as a label of pride.

      • Texas_Hangover@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        Do they call you downpunxx because you go down on every swinging dick within half a mile?