You know you might be a redneck....

[WCGreen]

If the singin' bass on the wall above the fireplace convinces you to grab a good old gal from Alaska to be your runinn' mate just because she's kinda cute...

You might be a redneck...

John McCain is a redneck. Impetuous, got hisself a pretty blond, likes to hand around with the boys wearing a flight jacket, campaigns at Sturgess...

He's a redneck...

[melody]

1. Oy, I know you're joking, but for the record

"Redneck" is an ethnic slur against English/Scots-Irish-American Appalachian people.

[WCGreen]

2. I thought it was because people who worked outside had sunburns

on their necks.

[melody]

3. That group of people tended to redden in the cold and heat

The term is for English/Scots-Irish people of the south (mainly rural and poor). Bill Clinton is a redneck.

[im1013]

5. I seriously had no idea....

Well, you learn something every day!

Now I don't know how to refer to the people where I live.

:shrug:

[melody]

7. If they're rednecks, call them rednecks ... if you mean they're racist and stupid

Call 'em Republicans. That better applies. :)

[im1013]

HA!!!!! Very true!

:toast:

[lligrd]

9. Think The Scots-Irish Would Be Appalled To Hear You Say That

My Grandmother was one and always made sure to refer to herself as such to differentiate from the regular "lower class" Irish.

[melody]

12. She referred to herself as a redneck for the same reason I do -- because I'm a redneck

She didn't say "redneck" and mean she was racist and stupid and all the other things implied about John McCain in that statement.

[lligrd]

14. She Didn't Call Herself A Redneck But A Scots-Irish With Scorn

implied at those who weren't. Personally I found it very silly especially since the other side of my family was the "lower class" Irish.

[melody]

17. Then why even bring up the issue?

I clearly wasn't using the term in that context (see the OP).

[lligrd]

20. Not Dissing Your Post

Just reminded me of Granny.

[melody]

22. I'm sorry - I'm just touchy on this topic since I've been challenged on it on DU ten times

My apologies ... and good for your granny. I'm glad she was proud of her rich heritage.

[mcctatas]

4. depends on what etymology of the word you prefer...

it could be from coal miners trying to unionize, could be from rejecting the church of England, but it is not an ethnic slur. Speaking as a descendant of both Irish American Appalachian people and union organizers, I'm just pissed that it was co-opted by that asshat Jeff Foxworthy :puke:

[melody]

6. It IS an ethnic slur ... god, I'm so tired of this damned debate

I am a redneck. My people come from there. I should also mention my background is in ethnology.

Whenever you call someone by a name and intend to give them a negative connotation by calling them that name, it's a slur. When people say redneck, many thinks stupid and racist ... that is why it's an ethnic slur. Obviously, not all redneck people are either one.

[mcctatas]

8. I disagree...

what it is now and the origins of the word are entirely different. If the debate bothers you so much, quit having it, I know I am...

[melody]

11. you are wrong

If you call someone a redneck and you just mean they're a redneck, it's not a racial slur.

If you call someone a redneck and you mean they are dumb, racist, inbred, etc, etc, then it IS a racial slur.

How hard can this be?

[mcctatas]

18. etymology and common usage are two different things...

if you are saying that the word originated as a racial/ethnic slur, you are incorrect, if you are saying in common usage it is that, I have no argument. Of course, there is also the fact that there are people who use it to describe themselves with a sense of pride. Regardless, I think we have hi-jacked the thread, let's give it back...

[melody]

19. No, I'm saying it DIDN'T originate as an ethnic slur

I'm saying it originated as a term for a people. Obviously that's what I meant since I challenged the OP for using it as an insult.

[WinkyDink]

10. It's also a reference to a very popular series of jokebooks by Jeff Foxworthy.

Good grief.
LIGHTEN UP.

[melody]

13. Which he is using as an ethnic slur ... but since he IS a redneck ...

No, I won't lighten up. Bigotry should always be challenged, wherever it is expressed. I know the OP was joking and said so. What gets me mad is when a bunch of DU people who can't tolerate expertise argue with someone who knows what the hell they're talking about.

[WinkyDink]

21. I fully understand your point.

I'm suggesting that sometimes a joke is a joke, and nothing more.

[WCGreen]

15. Yes, that too...

[Major Hogwash]

16. McCain is not just a redneck, he's a hella rich redneck. He married a rich wimmon.

Got hisself a new car, and a new house or 2 or 10, and a new job in Congress as a result.

[ikojo]

23. McCain did not start out in this world a poor white child

His daddy was a commodore. He attended a private prep school and the US Naval Academy. He had as much class privilege as did GW Bush, which is why they get along so well.

Also, in the St Louis area racist whites tend to be called hoosiers. Not sure of why but that's what they are called. Say hoosier around here and people automatically assume poor, white and dumb as a box of rocks.

[Major Hogwash]

24. Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

I didn't know one had to be born poor to be a redneck.
I thought it was more about their attitude.
I've always considered Bush to be a redneck.

I have never heard that about St Louis racist whites.
That is really odd.

[Art_from_Ark]

26. That has been my understanding of the term "redneck"

Attitude-- rural people who intentionally cause trouble for other people. Doesn't matter whether their ancestors were from Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany or wherever

[WCGreen]

25. It's a nickname for people from Indiana....