Name calling got out of hand in the thread, "Can I get a Roll Tide!!!!!". Slurs, derogatory terms and crude name calling is sometimes unintentional. It is due to bad information. For example, the term Redneck is a derogatory term to many hillbillies.
I think an understanding of the term "Hillbilly" might prevent future hard feelings.
In Kentucky, my mom always said we was hillbillies. Not Rednecks. She said Rednecks were rude and ill-mannered. So she didn't like people calling us rednecks. She said we was just a little better than a Tennessee "brier-hopper". Then, if you go further south from Tennessee, one is likely to encounter more Rednecks. Now that was what she said. Don't blame me, that was my dear departed ma talking.
Now here is my way of thinking:
This may not be politically-correct but it was how I was taught growing up. I think of hillbillies as being good-natured, simple, backward folks. Salt of the earth as they say. So Hillbilly is not a derogatory term. On the other hand, Redneck is the same as a racial slur. Do not call a proud HILLBILLY a Redneck. Because a redneck is usually stupid and racist. Personally, I rarely use the term Redneck as I consider it racist.
Now brier-hopper is about the same as a Kentucky Hillbilly. Maybe just a bitty lower in class.
You guys up in Ohio should not get too big-headed. A lot of hillbillies have been moving into Ohio since way before the depression.
I think an understanding of the term "Hillbilly" might prevent future hard feelings.
In Kentucky, my mom always said we was hillbillies. Not Rednecks. She said Rednecks were rude and ill-mannered. So she didn't like people calling us rednecks. She said we was just a little better than a Tennessee "brier-hopper". Then, if you go further south from Tennessee, one is likely to encounter more Rednecks. Now that was what she said. Don't blame me, that was my dear departed ma talking.
Now here is my way of thinking:
This may not be politically-correct but it was how I was taught growing up. I think of hillbillies as being good-natured, simple, backward folks. Salt of the earth as they say. So Hillbilly is not a derogatory term. On the other hand, Redneck is the same as a racial slur. Do not call a proud HILLBILLY a Redneck. Because a redneck is usually stupid and racist. Personally, I rarely use the term Redneck as I consider it racist.
Now brier-hopper is about the same as a Kentucky Hillbilly. Maybe just a bitty lower in class.
You guys up in Ohio should not get too big-headed. A lot of hillbillies have been moving into Ohio since way before the depression.