This should probably be in the history forum or something else, but I figure since I see a lot of redneck jokes here I'd post it here.  Please note that I'm not saying that I'm offended by the jokes, I actually find most of them funny, its just that its unfair and inconsiderate for southerners who dont practice inbreeding and have all their teeth.  If someone posted a joke on here about a lazy african-american, or a greedy jew, it would be deleted faster than Ozzy can barrell roll an An-225 wouldn't it?

Before you go posting more "redneck" jokes, take a minute to read about the history of the term you are throwing around.  The following is taken from http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/rednecks/rednecks.html.



REDNECK

The origins of this term are Scottish and refer to supporters of the National Covenant and The Solemn League and Covenant, or "Covenanters", largely Lowland Presbyterians, many of whom would flee Scotland for Ulster (Northern Ireland) during persecutions by the British Crown. The Covenanters of 1638 and 1641 signed the documents that 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*. One Scottish immigrant, interviewed by the author, remembered a Presbyterian minister, one Dr. Coulter, in Glasgow in the 1940's wearing a red clerical collar -- is this symbolic of the "rednecks"?

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." It makes you wonder if the originators of the ever-present "redneck" joke are aware of the term’s origins?

*Another term for Presbyterians in Ireland was a "Blackmouth". Members of the Church of Ireland (Anglicans) used this as a slur, referring to the fact that one could tell a Presbyterian by the black stains around his mouth from eating blackberries while at secret, illegal Presbyterian Church Services in the countryside.



So it would appear that true "rednecks" are Presbyterian Scottish-Irish immigrants who settled mainly in the southern US.  So, if these rednecks had settled in the New England states, would we have jokes about dumb yankees?  No, of course not, cause stupidity stops at the Mason-Dixie line, right?  Forget the fact that inbreeding was common all over the world in royal families and such (Edit: its even in the BIBLE!), only those West Virginians are sick enough to do something like that nowadays, right?

In all honesty, I use the term redneck myself when someone around here does something stupid or backward.  As Jeff Foxworthy said, "You shouldn't talk about rednecks unless you are one, and I are one..."    However, I'm not blasting anyone for using it, but what does bother me is when everyone assumes that you're stupid just because you're from the south.  I travel a lot, and I see the way others view southern folk.  I think jokes and casual stereotypes add to this.

So, why is it that redneck jokes are acceptable, but racial slur jokes are not?

Quote:


Because Rednecks aren't smart enough too raise a fuss about it. 

Just kidding!!!

I have often wondered this myself. And I guess it is just becasue no one every really says anything about it. And to be honest using the term Redneck is a racial slur, but because no one every says anything about it no one thinks twice.
The same as how it is ok for a African American to make slurs and jokes about thier race but if a caucasion makes the same remark it is racist and something need to be done.
It all boils down to who takes offense and who doesn't have a sense of humor, and it is apparent you don't take a high offense to it so that is good.
Most who are offended bitch and complain about how they were wronged becasue they have nothing better to do and they want to cause a scene, which in turns makes others make more jokes about them.

So in all reallity Rednecks are obviously better than most, they can at least take a joke, and laugh at it!

I've known some rednecks who call themselves rednecks and are proud of it!   I also liked Meyekul's bit of history.  It's also interesting how some words have changed meanings over the years.  Did you know that "Gay" used to mean "Happy"?

Jim