Is "redneck" a slur?

[Paul McEnery]

So we know some definite words we have to spell "*-bomb" or "*-word" because they're unacceptable. Like the N-word.

And then there's some other words which live in contested areas, which have caused specific offence, but may or may not have become naturalized. The Q-bomb is in the clear, but the F-for-Fag-bomb isn't yet.

Where does the R-for-Redneck bomb fit?

[Nate C.]

I will respond to this, but I have to go to work.

You wanker.

[west3man]

So we know some definite words we have to spell "*-bomb" or "*-word" because they're unacceptable. Like the N-word.

And then there's some other words which live in contested areas, which have caused specific offence, but may or may not have become naturalized. The Q-bomb is in the clear, but the F-for-Fag-bomb isn't yet.

Where does the R-for-Redneck bomb fit?
I know of people who see the word that way. I don't, but I try to consider their point-of-view.

As it stands, the word lacks the kind of history that other words in its aspired-to category have. So, I'm prepared to accept that some folks see it as offensive, but it's not QUITE a "bomb," in my eyes. Really, it's not even close.

[Paul McEnery]

I know of people who see the word that way. I don't, but I try to consider their point-of-view.

As it stands, the word lacks the kind of history that other words in its aspired-to category. So, I'm prepared to accept that some folks see it as offensive, but it's not QUITE a "bomb," in my eyes. Really, it's not even close.
I'm waiting to hear the case.

In the meantime:

There used to be a lovely little pub outside of Bakersfield at exactly the right spot to break a journey from LA to SF. Brewed their own beer, made their own mustard, had a great country jukebox. It's gone now, because the locals had a problem with the name:

Okie Girl.

Of course, the proprietor was and Okie girl. And she had "Proud to be an Okie from Muscogee" on the jukebox. And the Bakersfield zone is full on Okie territory. And as far as I know, there's never been prejudice against Okies. (Snobbery, maybe; but prejudice, no).

But the townspeople decided they weren't having any more of this Okie Girl nonsense.

I don't know how the rest of it played out, exactly. I just know the result. Which is too damn bad.

[Valmore]

I'm not sure it's even an insult, reaaly. Much like how a lot of blacks call each other the N-word (i.e. - "He's my nigga"), a lot of rednecks actually call themselves and their friends rednecks.

[Full Metal Jackass]

well of course it is a slur, just not one that people have decided to get offended about. (not that I am saying I am offended by it, just answering the question posed in the title)

[Paul McEnery]

well of course it is a slur, just not one that people have decided to get offended about. (not that I am saying I am offended by it, just answering the question posed in the title)
Okay, but why? I've never used it as a slur, and always used it as a term of approval.

[Valmore]

Okay, but why? I've never used it as a slur, and always used it as a term of approval.

Hells bells, folks. Some of them rednecks even revel in their redneckosity by buying bumper stickers for their beat-up pick-ups proclaiming how rednecked they really are.

[atoningunifex]

I only use the term "redneck" when I'm writing something. That way I'm sure not to offend. Everyone knows rednecks can't read.

:)



I was joking. Before you start....I was joking.

[lonewolf23k]

Hells bells, folks. Some of them rednecks even revel in their redneckosity by buying bumper stickers for their beat-up pick-ups proclaiming how rednecked they really are.

Heck, Jeff Foxworthy's built a career out of being a Redneck who tells Redneck jokes...

[BlairH]

A name like "redneck" is a step too far
The proper term is "country music star".

[Fenris]

Okay, but why? I've never used it as a slur, and always used it as a term of approval.

It's kind of an urban-vs-rural thing. "Redneck" is a more-colorful form of "hick;" i.e. an unsophisticated country bumpkin who's looked down on by his elevated city cousins.

If you believe that city life naturally produces a better kind of people than country life, then it makes sense as an insult. Many Americans don't; presumably almost no rednecks do, which is why the phrase is only a little bit offensive.

[Paul McEnery]

It's kind of an urban-vs-rural thing. "Redneck" is a more-colorful form of "hick;" i.e. an unsophisticated country bumpkin who's looked down on by his elevated city cousins.

If you believe that city life naturally produces a better kind of people than country life, then it makes sense as an insult. Many Americans don't; presumably almost no rednecks do, which is why the phrase is only a little bit offensive.
Well, I reckon a lot of city slickers are scared of rednecks. So there's that.

Me, I find rednecks perfectly lovely people.

Mind, I'm talking Californian rednecks.

But yeah, it just seems like a demographic term to me.

Which "hick" definitely isn't.

[Fenris]

Well, I reckon a lot of city slickers are scared of rednecks. So there's that.

Me, I find rednecks perfectly lovely people.

Mind, I'm talking Californian rednecks.

But yeah, it just seems like a demographic term to me.

Which "hick" definitely isn't.

Somehow- speaking as a South Carolina boy- the term "California redneck" seems like a near-oxymoron. I have a vague mental picture of a guy with a Confederate Flag surfboard.

I'm getting my unconscious assumptions scrambled!

[Paul McEnery]

I'm thinking:

Small town.
Autonomous.
Trusts authority right up to the point that authority impinges on them.
Does practical work -- 'frigeration, trucks, bar/restaurant, agricultural, construction, &c.
Thinks practical matters are more important than cultural matters.
Except sports.
In California, at least, doesn't necessarily drink Bud or Coors.
Patriotic American.
Judges politicians (and politics) on straightforward right or wrong issues, but backs America in a crunch.
Doesn't judge people on the basis of race, but on if they're a right person.
Is beginning to accomodate the idea that they ought to be doing that about gays too.
Patriotic local -- probably not the right word, but I've never known the right
word for local pride and loyalty.
Mostly I think male, for some reason.
I also think overalls, plaid shirt, and beard. So sue me.

What am I missing?

[Alex]

ITs almost a badge of honor for rednecks i know.
They take it to mean they love their country, they like the country music, they like drinking. Things used to mock them, but things they see no problem with at all.

[EZMOHR]

See I'm in a prediciment....

I have a pretty thick Texan accent. (I lived there 16 years) I live in California, and I'm called a Redneck. It runs the gammut of my friends calling me it at work as a joke, to people who are trying to insult me, although this does not happen much.

Now, I know a few people saw me at the Wonder-Con, and I'm about as white boy as you can get. I've got Blonde hair, blue eyes, and very pasty white skin. I'm the definition of REDNECK WHITE BOY HONKY CRACKER....

But kind of like Navin in The Jerk, I'm the product of a white father and a Half White/Half Black Mother. (My Grandmother is Black, my Grandpa is white). My mom looks white, he sister looks white, my uncle is black. And no there is no adoption or any other funny business, none of them look like each other. Yet, I have cousins who by blood are realted to me, but are black. And I'm the blonde kid who looks nothing like the rest of them.

So, I identify as Redneck. I mean I listen to country music. I've got suped up trucks. (4" lifted 68 Bronco with 35's.) I drink beer, I vote Republican, (and very weirdly I'm Catholic some how.), I'm conservative, and shock o shock I have a Texas flag hanging in my computer room.

But, am I truly a redneck?

Oh and to answer the question, just like, God it so stupid to say it like this (what are we 3 years old), The "N" word, it is derogetory to say it only when it is meant to be said like that.

[mgs]

i think white trash is more or less equally as offensive to some as the n word. hick and redneck may be slightly less offensive. i think.

[warlog]

In my hometown it is a badge of honor.

[howyadoin]

There used to be a lovely little pub outside of Bakersfield at exactly the right spot to break a journey from LA to SF. Brewed their own beer, made their own mustard, had a great country jukebox. It's gone now, because the locals had a problem with the name:

Okie Girl.

Of course, the proprietor was and Okie girl. And she had "Proud to be an Okie from Muscogee" on the jukebox. And the Bakersfield zone is full on Okie territory. And as far as I know, there's never been prejudice against Okies. (Snobbery, maybe; but prejudice, no).

But the townspeople decided they weren't having any more of this Okie Girl nonsense.

I don't know how the rest of it played out, exactly. I just know the result. Which is too damn bad.On a related note, there's a lot of Newfoundlanders in Alberta, partly because of a big influx in the late 70s when the Newfoundland economy was bottoming out and jobs were plentiful in places like Fory McMurray. Anyhow, a couple years ago a bar there had a sign in the window that said "drunken Newfie approved".

(Aside: when it comes to drinking, I'm a fairly typical Newfie.)

Sure enough, some asshole took offense to it and complained that it propagated a negative stereotype or some such bullshit, and the sign had to come down.

In my family, we joke that the person who complained must have been kicked out of Newfoundland for being such a wussy.

[Tadhg]

Okay, but why? I've never used it as a slur, and always used it as a term of approval.

I use it as a slur on a near daily basis.

[StoneGold]

Somehow- speaking as a South Carolina boy- the term "California redneck" seems like a near-oxymoron. I have a vague mental picture of a guy with a Confederate Flag surfboard.

I'm getting my unconscious assumptions scrambled!
Try heading out into more eastern California, San Bernadino and eastward. It gets pretty thick up there.

[Gumbo Maximillian]

Racist
Sexist
Ignorant
Arrogant
Poor Hygiene
Don't have all their teeth
Poverty line
Dislike higher learning
Tendencies toward violence
Jerkish
Homophobic
Extreme dislike of sub-groups like Hippies, buddhists, yoga and liberals
Believe religion/goverment should be together
All other religions are satanic and wrong

Though really this is a combination of hill billy and red kneck.

This is basically what it means to be a red kneck; so its understandable that people who are Red Knecks, that being called that by non-friends and family would anger them.

There is basically an order if you will, Red Knecks are on the bottom for a reason.

Good ol' Boy
Hill Billy
Red Kneck

[west3man]

Gumbo, that's the first time I've seen anyone consistently use a "k" at the BEGINNING and end of the word "redneck." I may have missed it in your post but, is there a particular significance to that?

[Wesley Dodds]

They take it to mean they love their country, they like the country music, they like drinking.

No, we mock them for hurting their country, for liking bad country music and drinking beer that tastes like piss.

[boolean]

In my family, we joke that the person who complained must have been kicked out of Newfoundland for being such a wussy.

Or worse, wasn't a Newfie at alll. Just some busybody who took it upon themselves to be offended on somebody elses behalf.

[macul]

Depends on how it is used. If good natured then no one cares. If used in a context like, "And stupid rednecks with their guns...," then well...not hard to figure out how a person can see it as an insult.

[Nate C.]

Racist
Sexist
Ignorant
Arrogant
Poor Hygiene
Don't have all their teeth
Poverty line
Dislike higher learning
Tendencies toward violence
Jerkish
Homophobic
Extreme dislike of sub-groups like Hippies, buddhists, yoga and liberals
Believe religion/goverment should be together
All other religions are satanic and wrong

Though really this is a combination of hill billy and red kneck.

This is basically what it means to be a red kneck; so its understandable that people who are Red Knecks, that being called that by non-friends and family would anger them.

There is basically an order if you will, Red Knecks are on the bottom for a reason.

Good ol' Boy
Hill Billy
Red Kneck

I want to thank Gumbo for doing a lot of my leg work.

It's 2 am here, so I'll make this short.

I agree with West that the term "redneck" is nowhere near as offensive as the "n-word". However, it is becoming increasingly used as a slur, and what once was a term of affection has now become a tool for ridicule and debasement. It's this bad in fact: I've never seen a person of color use the word in a postive fashion. I've never seen a Yank use the term in a positve fashion. Charlie Rangle (the impetus for this thread- his recent use of the word) didn't use the word in a positvie fashion.

Yes, Jeff Foxworthy uses the word with pride. The same way that Nelly, Dr. Dre, etc. uses the n-word with pride. Jeff Foxworthy is in the group. He's allowed, and his attempts are met with the understanding from the group because they know he does it with sincerity and affection.

No, I'm not trying to institute the "r-word" any time soon.

Yes, I see the term misused outside the group it belongs to, and yes, it's getting worse. I predict it could become the equivalant of the "n-word", given enough time.

[Wesley Dodds]

I don't know. Identity politics is one of the left's abominations. I wouldn't recommend it, really -- there are more important things. And, frankly, it's a bit cutesy to equate redneck with nigger. Nigger has associations that redneck just doesn't.

Actually, David Horowitz has been doing this political correctness thing with universities. God, identity politics and political correctness on the right. It'd be like Christmas.

[Stony]

I fervently hope so. We non-whites have so few names for crackers as it is...

[GammaPro]

Personally, the term offends the hell out of me when it is aimed at me and mine. HOWEVER, I also realize that that is quite hypocritical of me because I can't stand hearing about people being offended. :o

[Paul McEnery]

I want to thank Gumbo for doing a lot of my leg work.

It's 2 am here, so I'll make this short.

I agree with West that the term "redneck" is nowhere near as offensive as the "n-word". However, it is becoming increasingly used as a slur, and what once was a term of affection has now become a tool for ridicule and debasement. It's this bad in fact: I've never seen a person of color use the word in a postive fashion. I've never seen a Yank use the term in a positve fashion. Charlie Rangle (the impetus for this thread- his recent use of the word) didn't use the word in a positvie fashion.

Yes, Jeff Foxworthy uses the word with pride. The same way that Nelly, Dr. Dre, etc. uses the n-word with pride. Jeff Foxworthy is in the group. He's allowed, and his attempts are met with the understanding from the group because they know he does it with sincerity and affection.

No, I'm not trying to institute the "r-word" any time soon.

Yes, I see the term misused outside the group it belongs to, and yes, it's getting worse. I predict it could become the equivalant of the "n-word", given enough time.
I dunno man.

I mean, you got at least four presidents. And that's a sight better than N-Word, F-Bomb and letsnotevensaythecthingummy have.

The fact than Mr. Rangle is a total dickwad-word is neither here not there.

But you're right. To hell with knocking rednecks. Rednecks is fine with me (less'n you want to take my Lynyrd Skynyrd rekkids away from me).

If some wanker wants to play race politics by knocking rednecks, let's let them know how crap they are.

[Boldido]

This whole N-word, F-word C-word thing annoys the living piss out of me. If you are going to discuss the words nigger, fuck or cunt, then for Christ's sake, please use the word nigger, fuck or cunt. If you are too bothered by the words to use the words then it would be best that you avoid conversations about the words.

Is redneck a slur? Sure, as is jerk, moron and jackass. Is it a regional slur? Sure, just like Yankee, Canuck and Okie.

In no way does it rise to the level of being a racial slur like nigger, however. To the best of my knowledge, people haven't been hung from trees for being rednecks. Redneck churches haven't been burned to the ground. No one has been turned away from the voting booth just for being a redneck.

Redneck doesn't equal "derogatory word for white person". If someone were to call me a redneck, I wouldn't be insulted, because none of the traditional characteristics that apply to rednecks apply to me. I think its the same with the word "cracker" which has definite southern connotations. I doubt the same would hold true for a black person that is called nigger. The only word that came close to nigger was honkey and lets face it, that one just never really took off.

[west3man]

This whole N-word, F-word C-word thing annoys the living piss out of me. If you are going to discuss the words nigger, fuck or cunt, then for Christ's sake, please use the word nigger, fuck or cunt. If you are too bothered by the words to use the words then it would be best that you avoid conversations about the words.
If each usage of the word is like a quick nail-on-chalkboard moment (to some), a full conversation where each side says the word over and over, would be pretty unpleasant.

As long as everyone knows what everyone else is talking about without-nail-on-chalkboard moments, what's wrong with saying "C-word," for instance?

[Ed Cunard]

If each usage of the word is like a quick nail-on-chalkboard moment (to some), a full conversation where each side says the word over and over, would be pretty unpleasant.

As long as everyone knows what everyone else is talking about without-nail-on-chalkboard moments, what's wrong with saying "C-word," for instance?

Nothing, although I do tend to agree with Boldido on the saying of the words thing, I mean, if I mean "cunt (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cunt)," I'll say it (drives my mother-in-law up the wall, as she absolutely hates the word), particularly if I'm comfortable with the people I'm talking to--strangers, well, then it becomes too long an argument on the nature of words and language, and they tend to walk away bored and I tend to leave frustrated and linguistically blueballed. I can see situations where the need to be polite might come in.

Folk-singer Utah Phillips said on one of his CDs:


Mr. Natural sez,; get the right tool for the job. My tools are words, and I have a whole toolbox full. When I need to do a word-job I always try to reach for just the right tool. That way I am able to say exactly what I mean. If I use a word you don't understand, please don't ask me to dump it for one that you know. instead, ask me what my word means. Then you can put it in your toolbox. Then, when you have a word job, you'll have a box full of tools and be able to say exactly what you mean.

Words are yay. Even words that make people uncomfortable.

[west3man]

Nothing, although I do tend to agree with Boldido on the saying of the words thing, I mean, if I mean "cunt (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cunt)," I'll say it (drives my mother-in-law up the wall, as she absolutely hates the word), particularly if I'm comfortable with the people I'm talking to--strangers, well, then it becomes too long an argument on the nature of words and language, and they tend to walk away bored and I tend to leave frustrated and linguistically blueballed. I can see situations where the need to be polite might come in. I hope so. You just mentioned one.

Your mother-in-law...

Folk-singer Utah Phillips said on one of his CDs:



Words are yay. Even words that make people uncomfortable.That quote refers specifically to words the audience does NOT know, as opposed to those that they're uncomfortable with.

[Ed Cunard]

I hope so. You just mentioned one.

Your mother-in-law...

That quote refers specifically to words the audience does NOT know, as opposed to those that they're uncomfortable with.

Yeah, but we say it around her because it's fun to make her squirm. Beth does it, too. But as much as she squirms, it's still acceptable--I don't know how to describe the family dynamic, but making other people squirm is part of the whole deal--it probably looks terrible from an outside perspective, but it works...

I know that's the meaning of Phillips' quote, but I'm saying that the other words are *also* in our toolboxes, and if you mean "cunt," for example, then using it is better than "c-word," "pussy," or "bagina," (although I'm oddly fond of "bagina," and would like to know where that specific derivation of "vagina" came from).

Anyway, we're drifting a bit here. Is redneck a slur? Probably. Is it one I've used before? Absolutely. I don't feel good about it, but I can't pretend I haven't used it.

[west3man]

I know that's the meaning of Phillips' quote, but I'm saying that the other words are *also* in our toolboxes, and if you mean "cunt," for example, then using it is better than "c-word," "pussy," or "bagina," (although I'm oddly fond of "bagina," and would like to know where that specific derivation of "vagina" came from). No allowances in there for the exceptions/qualifiers I (and you) mentioned earlier.

Anyway, we're drifting a bit here. Is redneck a slur? Probably. Is it one I've used before? Absolutely. I don't feel good about it, but I can't pretend I haven't used it.
I've probably used it, but if so, it was so long ago I don't even remember when it was.

That's only referring to the non-literal use of the term, though. A guy at a local comic shop got a sunburn on his neck some weeks back and I made with the pseudo-pun.

[Boldido]

If each usage of the word is like a quick nail-on-chalkboard moment (to some), a full conversation where each side says the word over and over, would be pretty unpleasant.

As long as everyone knows what everyone else is talking about without-nail-on-chalkboard moments, what's wrong with saying "C-word," for instance?

But the word doesn't need to be said over and over again. It really only needs to be said once or twice, just like when you are having a conversation about a person. If I tell people about how I met Hoss and West at a restaurant in Tampa, I really will probably only use each of the names a few times, most of the time I will use pronouns. In the case of a conversation about a particular word, the pronoun "it" will take the place of whichever word is the subject of the conversation.

You also have to understand, that the use of "N-word" and "C-word" and "F-bomb" annoys me to no end as I previously stated. If I am engaging in a conversation in which the topic of that conversation is the words nigger, fuck and/or cunt, why should I my comfort take a backseat to that of someone else who is choosing to engage in the aforementioned conversation.

[Dreadstar]

Where does the R-for-Redneck bomb fit?

I'd put it about the same par as the M-for-Mick bomb.

[Rabid Trekkie]

As has been said before, it depends how the term is being used. My Dad told me about this scene from a book or movie he saw (appropriately a western) that sort of sums it up:

This city guy is in this small town in the south where he sees this somewhat old looking gunslinger sitting on the porch. Another man walks up to the gunslinger and with a big smile says "Well there you are you low down dirty sonuvabitch!" and the gunslinger replies in kind and both start talking about the weather and current events. The city boy decides that must be how everyone greets everyone and so walks up to the gunslinger and says, "Hello you dirty sonuvabitch!" and in an instant both men have their guns drawn and pointed at him. The gunslinger says, "You better smile when you say that boy!"

That's sort of how I see the term redneck. I'm not really a redneck as I've never lived outside of the Houston city limits but when I went to Michigan for a week I could tell what some people thought I was when I spoke.

[macul]

That's sort of how I see the term redneck. I'm not really a redneck as I've never lived outside of the Houston city limits but when I went to Michigan for a week I could tell what some people thought I was when I spoke.

I'll be expecting some of that early next month when I'm in New York. Should be fun!

[west3man]

But the word doesn't need to be said over and over again. It really only needs to be said once or twice, just like when you are having a conversation about a person. If I tell people about how I met Hoss and West at a restaurant in Tampa, I really will probably only use each of the names a few times, most of the time I will use pronouns. In the case of a conversation about a particular word, the pronoun "it" will take the place of whichever word is the subject of the conversation. I disagree.

Of all the things I could say to support my point-of-view, I think the most illustrative would be that the word "redneck" has been used in 18 different posts, who knows how many times PER POST, in this three-page thread.

You also have to understand, that the use of "N-word" and "C-word" and "F-bomb" annoys me to no end as I previously stated. If I am engaging in a conversation in which the topic of that conversation is the words nigger, fuck and/or cunt, why should I my comfort take a backseat to that of someone else who is choosing to engage in the aforementioned conversation. Assuming I'm understanding your question, I have to ask...

Why should THEIR comfort take a backseat to yours?

So, image a two-person conversation on the subject. In one corner we have someone who is bothered by "c-word" and in the other, someone who is bothered by "cunt." How do we decide which is appropriate or nice? I say we consider that the very point of such a conversation is just how emotionally provocative the word(s) ARE ... SO, either use the applicable pronoun(s) or use a less offensive alternative, like "c-word."

The alternative is kinda like discussing and deciding how horrible cigarette smoke is or isn't to those who are allergic to it *by blowing it in the allergic person's face.* There are less-painful alternatives.

I agree that the above is only true within reason, but I think what I've suggested is pretty reasonable.

[west3man]

This city guy is in this small town in the south where he sees this somewhat old looking gunslinger sitting on the porch. Another man walks up to the gunslinger and with a big smile says "Well there you are you low down dirty sonuvabitch!" and the gunslinger replies in kind and both start talking about the weather and current events. The city boy decides that must be how everyone greets everyone and so walks up to the gunslinger and says, "Hello you dirty sonuvabitch!" and in an instant both men have their guns drawn and pointed at him. The gunslinger says, "You better smile when you say that boy!"
Gotta love it.

[StoneGold]

I think part of the problem of thinking of redneck as a dirty word is that taken in and of themselves, the words red and neck have no negative connotations. Look at all the other offensive words. Do they have any form that is acceptable in polite conversation? No. But redneck does.

Granted, the term redskin probably screws up my theory. Oh well.

[west3man]

I think part of the problem of thinking of redneck as a dirty word is that taken in and of themselves, the words red and neck have no negative connotations. Look at all the other offensive words. Do they have any form that is acceptable in polite conversation? No. But redneck does.

Granted, the term redskin probably screws up my theory. Oh well.
Nah. It doesn't screw it up as long as you allow for historical significance.

[phoenixrising]

Where I come from, people proudly proclaim their redneck status on t-shirts, bumper stickers and trucker hats. Beforer they were fashionable.

What's the fuss?

[Dreadstar]

Where I come from, people proudly proclaim their redneck status on t-shirts, bumper stickers and trucker hats. Beforer they were fashionable.

What's the fuss?

Basically, intent.

Endearment vs. insult, as has been already discussed. Someone might call someone "nigger" as a term of endearment, and another might choose to use the word as an insult. Someone might laugh at and identify with Jeff Foxworthy's routine, and still be breaking bottles in the bar at the phrase "Hey you fucking redneck." There are of course differences in magnitude and history and legality (one's a hate crime, one is not), but the effect is similar. Heck, you can put the very same kind of insult into the word "blonde" anymore these days, and have some people take offense.

[Ray R.]

Basically, intent.

Endearment vs. insult, as has been already discussed. Someone might call someone "nigger" as a term of endearment, and another might choose to use the word as an insult. Someone might laugh at and identify with Jeff Foxworthy's routine, and still be breaking bottles in the bar at the phrase "Hey you fucking redneck." There are of course differences in magnitude and history and legality (one's a hate crime, one is not), but the effect is similar. Heck, you can put the very same kind of insult into the word "blonde" anymore these days, and have some people take offense.

"Hey, you stinking white collar office flunky....."

"Hey, you high-faluting, telescope-staring astronomer....."

"Hey, you number-crunching, pen-protecting, CPA....."

"Hey, you coffee-pouring, whip-cream steaming, son of a barrista"

Doesn't matter the words, it IS all about intent.

God, I grew up on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, and heard terms like "white trash," "trailer scum," and "dirtball" all the time. (To quote Stephen Colbert: "A floor with chickens underneath, you lucky bastard -- I would have killed for a floor")

My response to the cutdowns: "Yeah, and your point being?" Acknowledging myself as "po' white trash" gave me even more of an impetus not to want to be one anymore. Escape, by any means necessary. Turn a negative into a positive. Maybe I'm still "po' white trash", but I have a kickass DVD and comic collection, and I don't have a mullet, so there's a silver lining.

"Redneck" - if the sunburned neck and construction boots fit, wear 'em.

[Dreadstar]

God, I grew up on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, and heard terms like "white trash," "trailer scum," ...


...no, I never got called any of those before, uh-uh, nope...

Well, hardly ever twice by the same person, anyways...

[Paul McEnery]

"Hey, you stinking white collar office flunky....."

"Hey, you high-faluting, telescope-staring astronomer....."

"Hey, you number-crunching, pen-protecting, CPA....."

"Hey, you coffee-pouring, whip-cream steaming, son of a barrista"

Doesn't matter the words, it IS all about intent.


Which makes me think...

When exactly did "motherfucker" become a term of endearment?

[Dreadstar]

Which makes me think...

When exactly did "motherfucker" become a term of endearment?


...or "magnificent bastard" for that matter...

[west3man]

Which makes me think...

When exactly did "motherfucker" become a term of endearment?
I dunno, for sure, but as a kid, it was fun to cause emotional reactions in others. Some adults still gain pleasure from this in one way or another, in fact.

One way to cause such a reaction was to scare a person or make the person angry or sad. Calling people names usually did that. Some folks were less affected by this than others. Those were the ones whose friendships with the other person would endure, despite the apparent-negativity.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.

[Ed Cunard]

...or "magnificent bastard" for that matter...

Seinfeld on that one, I think.

[Gumbo Maximillian]

Gumbo, that's the first time I've seen anyone consistently use a "k" at the BEGINNING and end of the word "redneck." I may have missed it in your post but, is there a particular significance to that?


Besides my inability to spell, none really.

Damn my arkansas heritage! Damn it to hell!:)

[DarkisLight]

See, this is something that has been bugging me for awhile now.

Well, here's the thing: I recently moved to my new home in Jacksonville,FL from, well, Ohio. So, I'm down here and suddenly I hear a lot of my classmates happily proclaiming that they're rednecks and I'm going "Why on earth would you want to call yourself that?"

Now, where I come from, and this isn't meant to be offensive, but the term "redneck" is used to describe "white trash, racist, inmoral people with bad hygeine", so you can imagine how confused I was when a ton of people happily go about with the label etched on their foreheads.

Also, I don't live in Jacksonville City, I'm living in rural Jacksonville, near St.Augustine.

Anyways, the main problem is that a lot of these people fit the stereotype that I was used to in Ohio, so...well...yeah...but, hell, I'll go with rednecks instead of rich snobs anyday! :D

[macul]

See, this is something that has been bugging me for awhile now.

Well, here's the thing: I recently moved to my new home in Jacksonville,FL from, well, Ohio. So, I'm down here and suddenly I hear a lot of my classmates happily proclaiming that they're rednecks and I'm going "Why on earth would you want to call yourself that?"

Now, where I come from, and this isn't meant to be offensive, but the term "redneck" is used to describe "white trash, racist, inmoral people with bad hygeine", so you can imagine how confused I was when a ton of people happily go about with the label etched on their foreheads.

Also, I don't live in Jacksonville City, I'm living in rural Jacksonville, near St.Augustine.

Anyways, the main problem is that a lot of these people fit the stereotype that I was used to in Ohio, so...well...yeah...but, hell, I'll go with rednecks instead of rich snobs anyday! :D

Welcome to Jacksonville. Let me know if you need help locating anything. And hopefully you are a football fan, cause you are now living in the heart of college football country. :)

[DarkisLight]

Welcome to Jacksonville. Let me know if you need help locating anything. And hopefully you are a football fan, cause you are now living in the heart of college football country. :)

Heh, yes, I know. We moved here a few months before the SuperBowl...actually my school, Bartam Trail, hosted the Patriots. They used our football field for practice...it was hell. I was actually in the halftime show as one of the concert people. Being that close to Paul was just plain awesome!

[howyadoin]

What's that people are saying? That the offensiveness of a word depends on the context?

Well, goddamn. I'm sure I never woulda thought of that.

[macul]

Heh, yes, I know. We moved here a few months before the SuperBowl...actually my school, Bartam Trail, hosted the Patriots. They used our football field for practice...it was hell. I was actually in the halftime show as one of the concert people. Being that close to Paul was just plain awesome!

My friends kids (at least one anyway...not sure of the others) goes to Bartram. He's in the 11th grade I believe.

[RickThunderclees]

I read this thread and couldn't believe it. To think that the word "redneck" or the "r-bomb" is even in the same context of the other words is outrageous. However I will say this...

I have many gay friends and they call each other the "f" and "q" words that pertain to being gay all of time. They say it in a friendly manner, with no intention of HATE, which I think is the most important aspect of word usage anyway. I'm not saying that it's alright for ANYONE to use those words without hate, I'm simply saying that among certain people, it is acceptable for them to do so.

The important thing is...is to be respectful. That's what it all boils down to. Respect and compassion.

Peace

-Bar