The History of a Red Neck

You know how you think you KNOW the history behind a certain term? If I were on Jeopardy and the answer was "The term 'red neck' came from this event." I would bet every penny I had and I would so get it WRONG!

The quintessential redneck!

I would have sworn the term red neck came from the necks of farmers who spent loads of time in the sun while also wearing a t-shirt so that only their necks are red. WRONG! Now that I think about it, that's where the term 'farmer's tan' came from. If the farmer took off his t-shirt, the white skin on his back, shoulders and belly would look like he still had his t-shirt on.

Cutest dang farmer's tan!

My husband is a History Channel junkie. The other day, he was watching a program that started out being about the production of moonshine in the Appalachian Mountains. It somehow led to the battle between the Hatfields and McCoys and from there to coal mining.

In 1921 in Matewan, West Virginia, the locals coal miners got into a battle with the unions. who brought in men to work the mines. Local people were murdered by henchmen for the out-of-town union bosses. Locals were kicked out of their homes and had to live in the woods. Their salaries were replaced with scripts to the local general store. Makes getting ahead in life next to impossible!

Redneck Army

The locals banded together. Each wore a red bandanna around his neck so that, even when they were covered in coal dust or in the throes of a battle, other locals would be able to identify an ally. They did not want to be affiliated with the unions. They were called the Red Neck Army, hence, red necks!

Confessions: I have been to Matewan, WV. Six years ago, our family and two others loaded up our dirt bikes and four wheelers and hit the road. Matewan allows these vehicles to be ridden on the road inside the city limits. Old trails leading to coal mines are now open to anyone who wants to ride. You could ride all day and never cross a path you had already traveled. It was more fun than I like to admit. I rode my big old camouflaged four wheeler that was given to me on our 12 anniversary. My hubby is such a romantic! I guess this confirms that I am a redneck!