From the Interesting Facts Department-- This one's dedicated to my beloved SIL, the newly-minted Presbyterian, who just LOVES redneck jokes! (She and BIL left their Episcopal church for the same Presbyterian Church El Jefe and I recently joined.)
It seems that her new church home and her favorite source of humor are inextricably related. Although some say the term "red neck" derived from striking coal miners who wore red bandanna kerchiefs, the origin of the term goes back further in time.
It seems that her new church home and her favorite source of humor are inextricably related. Although some say the term "red neck" derived from striking coal miners who wore red bandanna kerchiefs, the origin of the term goes back further in time.
RED NECK
"The origins of this term are Scottish and refer to supporters of the National Covenant and The Solemn League Covenant, or "Covenanters", largely Lowland Presbyterians and Ulster-Scots / Scotch-Irish Presbyterians.
The Covenanters of 1638 and 1641 signed the documents which stated that Scotland desired the Presbyterian form of church government and would not accept the Church of England as its official state church. Many Covenanters signed in their own blood and wore red pieces of cloth around their necks as distinctive insignia; hence the term "Red neck", which became slang for a Scottish dissenter.
Since many Ulster-Scottish settlers in America (especially the South) were Presbyterian, the term was applied to them, and then, later, their Southern descendants. One of the earliest examples of its use comes from 1830, when an author noted that "red-neck" was " a "name bestowed upon the Presbyterians" (emphasis added).
It makes you wonder if the originators of the ever-present "redneck" joke are aware of the term’s origins?"
"It makes you wonder if the originators of the ever-present "redneck" joke are aware of the term’s origins?"
ReplyDeleteIf they are, they must be mighty proud to be in such, *spit* highly esteemed *scratch* comp'ny!
Now, see I though Presbyterians would not change a lightbulb because that would interfere with the lightbulb's predestined consignement either to light or darkness.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I always thought it originally referred to farmers who worked outside and got the back of their neck sunburned. I will try to blog this to S.P.A.R.F
ReplyDelete