I lost my cool

**macwilkin** · 24th June 05, 09:35 AM

Check out the book "Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in North America" by David Hackett Fischer -- in the section on the Ulster-Scots and Borderers people, he discusses the theory of the origin of the word "redneck". An English visitor to North Carolina in the 1830's reportedly used the term to refer to the "Presbyterians of North Carolina", if I remember correctly.

Also, Grady McWhiney's "Cracker Culture" deals a lot with the Scots & Irish in the South, and "Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South" by Celeste Ray is one of the best studies of the Scottish & Ulster-Scottish influences on "Dixie". And I would be remiss if I forgot David Gleeson's "The Irish in the South 1815-1877" & James Webb's new history of the Ulster-Scots, "Born Fighting".

Cheers, y'all!

Todd

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 24th June 05, 09:42 AM

If you are asked about pleats and you check your cupboard to see how many "Chinets" you have on-hand for company... you might be a redneck.

When you laugh at a guy in a kilt because you think that his napkin is being worn WAY too low for the WalMart diner... you might be a redneck.

If you think that bagpipes are a rare Ford F-150 option available only through Pep Boys... you maight be a redneck.

If everytime you hear "Stewart Hunting", you think of "Deliverence"... you might be a redneck.

Hope that helps.

**Rivenraven** · 24th June 05, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by jfellrath

Officially, a redneck is a farmer who works hard in the fields and because he's out in the sun all day, his neck gets red from sunburn.

Unofficially, and more generally accepted, a redneck is an uncultured oaf who is generally rurally-located. Other terms used are things like "yokel," "white trash" (though this one isn't limited to rurally-located folks), "hick," or "hilljack." There are many other terms.

It's not considered a compliment, despite the possibly positive connatation from the "official" definition.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...rm=redneck&r=f

One who arranges to have their daughter baptized at Daytona Motor Speedway.

**Freedomlover** · 24th June 05, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Magnus Sporrano

They are everywhere. EVERYWHERE!

And after having lived in the country in North Carolina, I would say there are more rednecks per capita in Pennsylvania. Crazy, but true.

You might be right. In '03 the wife and I visited Gettysburg for a week. I heard more asinine comments during that week than I get in a year here in the 'hillbilly heaven' of Haywood County, North Carolina.

One evening while were were poking around downtown, a local mental midget passes us and mutters, "how'd you like your *** kicked?" I spun around and said, loudly, "Here and now is a really good time for you to try". He did the right thing:walked away (to the amusement of other bystanders). Right across the street from where that happened there is a music store, and in the window they had a Deering banjo, the Black Diamond model. I play a pretty good bluegrass banjo (a Deering, in fact) and wanted to try it. I walked in, all smiles, and asked if I could give it a try. The clerk looked me up and down, with an expression of disdain, and declined to let me try it out. I asked for the manager and was told he "wasn't available". I thought to myself "the hell with it, and him too" and headed for the door. Thing is, I would have bought it on the spot, for cash, if I'd liked it.

That was just two instances of idiocy separated by 10 minutes. There were others. So I'd have to agree that at least that part of PA is populated by genuine rednecks.

**Dreadbelly** · 24th June 05, 10:09 AM

Rednecks.

Oh, you mean the people with shirts saying "Jesus died for NASCAR!" that I leave in a little broken heap on the ground for calling me a skirt wearing f****t?

Yeah. I don't like those types.

Been happening more and more lately. I am getting so fed up with it. Pressure... Building.

Been looking at getting a "Stun-cane." 1.5 million volts of PAIN served at the end of a stick. Good for the gentleman out on his evening walk being bothered by ruffians. Have at thee, miscreant!

**Geoduck** · 24th June 05, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Check out the book "Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in North America" by David Hackett Fischer -- in the section on the Ulster-Scots and Borderers people, he discusses the theory of the origin of the word "redneck". An English visitor to North Carolina in the 1830's reportedly used the term to refer to the "Presbyterians of North Carolina", if I remember correctly.

Also, Grady McWhiney's "Cracker Culture" deals a lot with the Scots & Irish in the South, and "Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South" by Celeste Ray is one of the best studies of the Scottish & Ulster-Scottish influences on "Dixie". And I would be remiss if I forgot David Gleeson's "The Irish in the South 1815-1877" & James Webb's new history of the Ulster-Scots, "Born Fighting".

Cheers, y'all!

Todd

You beat me to it, Todd.

**Riverkilt** · 24th June 05, 07:16 PM

Good work Graham.

My brain doesn't work fast enough, but I'm imagining you acting as if they said that to the lady, not you, then confronting them for speaking to the lady in such a crude manner. Then they, apologetically explaining that no, they were speaking to you, at which point you become enraged at their cheek and they flee in terror from your war face.

And...lately I've been considering printing out that photo of the guy sitting in his kilt with his salami sized manhood exposed, laminating it, and carrying it around with me.

Then when someone asks me what's under my kilt I can show them that pic of a "salami."

Ron

**Celticman** · 26th June 05, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Also, Grady McWhiney's "Cracker Culture" deals a lot with the Scots & Irish in the South, and "Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South" by Celeste Ray is one of the best studies of the Scottish & Ulster-Scottish influences on "Dixie". And I would be remiss if I forgot David Gleeson's "The Irish in the South 1815-1877" & James Webb's new history of the Ulster-Scots, "Born Fighting".

Todd

I have the book "Cracker Culture" and I have done a great deal of reflection and examination of my preconceived notions of the south as a result of reading that book. As you all know I now live in south Louisiana...originally I am from Oregon, I was born and raised in Corvallis, Oregon. Anyway, "Cracker Culture" is truly an education.

As for the James Webb book "Born Fighting", I read the scathing review of his work in the latest issue of "Celtic Heritage Magazine" and I think I will go to the public library and sample it before I decide to spend any money on the book. If you get a chance pick up the latest "Celtic Heritage" magazine and check out the review.

**Celticman** · 26th June 05, 10:40 AM

As for the original subject of this thread...I hope, one day soon, to be as comfortable as all of ya'll wearing your kilt every day! Like most things, I guess, it gets easier the more you do something. One day soon, my friends, one day soon!

Now, whether I keep my cool when confronted with something similar to Graham, I can't say...I would like to say I could handle it as well, but I don't think so right now!

**bubba** · 26th June 05, 12:49 PM

You definately will be more comfortable the more you wear your kilts. I wear mine every day and the very idea of wearing pants has become obnoxious to me. As for smartass comments, I've only had to deal with the "******" comment once. I just laughed and told the fool my wife would be very surpised to hear it. End of problem. A good sense of humor and pride in yourself is really all you need to deal with others perceptions.