American English: c. 1830 – from the red necks associated with white people of European origin who are used to spending time outdoors – labouring, or engaged in outdoor pursuits such as hunting – in the strong sunshine of the Southern states of the US.
Redneckism refers to a provincial, conservative and bigoted world-view, associated with a particular stereotype of individuals living in Appalachia, the Southern United States, the Ozarks, and later the Rocky Mountain States. The word can be used either as a pejorative or as a matter of pride, depending on context.
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