The key difference between hillbilly and redneck is that hillbilly is a term that refers to a person from a backwood or another remote area, especially from the mountains of the southern U.S, whereas redneck is a term that describes an uneducated white farm laborer, especially from the South.
“Redneck” and “hillbilly” are both terms that have been used to describe people from rural, working-class backgrounds, particularly in the southern United States. These are often considered to be derogatory terms.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Who is a Hillbilly
3. Who is a Redneck
4. Hillbilly vs Redneck in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Hillbilly vs Redneck
Who is a Hillbilly?
The term “hillbilly” is a term that originated in the southern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some consider it a derogatory term. It was originally used to describe people who lived in the hills and mountains of the southern United States, particularly in Appalachia. The term was popularized in the early 20th century through TV shows and movies that depicted hillbillies as uneducated, poor, and backward. The term is thought to have originated from the Scotch-Irish immigrants who settled in the southern hills and mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries. These immigrants were known for their distinct dialect, culture, and way of life, which was different from the more urban and coastal areas of the country.
Hillbilly often refers to people who live in the hills and mountains of the southern United States. It is often associated with the stereotype of people living isolated from mainstream society and who have a distinct culture. The stereotype of “hillbillies” is complex, as it includes both positive and negative characteristics. On one hand, they are perceived as independent and self-reliant people who hold on to their traditional ways and resist the changes brought by modernization. On the other hand, they are also often characterized as backward, uneducated, and violent. This creates a twofold stereotype, where they are seen both positively and negatively.
Figure 01: Cotton Sharecroppers in Hale County, Alabama
Who is a Redneck?
The term “redneck” is a derogatory term that originated in the southern United States in the late 19th century. It was originally used to describe working-class white people from rural areas of the southern United States who had sunburned necks from working outside in the fields. The term has been used to stereotype and demean these individuals based on their socioeconomic status and geographic origin.
The origins of the term are thought to be rooted in the 19th century when the rural southern United States was primarily an agricultural region. Many white working-class people were involved in manual labor, such as farming, which often required working outside in the fields. This led to sunburned necks, which became a visible marker of their social and economic status. Over time, the term “redneck” came to be associated with the stereotype of uneducated and unsophisticated individuals from rural southern United States.
What is the Difference Between Hillbilly and Redneck?
The key difference between hillbilly and redneck is that hillbilly is a term that refers to a person from a backwood or another remote area, especially from the mountains of the southern U.S, whereas redneck is a term that describes an uneducated white farm laborer, especially from the South. Based on the origins of the words, the term redneck describes someone who has been sunburned from working outdoors, whereas the term hillbilly describes someone who lives in the hills. While hillbilly is seen by some both positively and negatively, redneck is mainly a derogatory term.
Summary – Hillbilly vs Redneck
Hillbilly is a term that refers to a person from a backwood or another remote area, especially from the mountains of the southern U.S., whereas redneck is a term that describes an uneducated white farm laborer, especially from the South. This is the key difference between hillbilly and redneck.
Reference:
1. “Hillbilly.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Redneck.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Frank Tengle, Bud Fields, and Floyd Burroughs, cotton sharecroppers, Hale County, Alabama” By Walker Evans – Via Library of Congress website [1]; high-res TIF converted to JPG, border cropped (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia