NateMail: Hillbillies and Rednecks

Mr axes: Now you Southron folks (or Midwesterners), question for you... does the term Hillbilly carry any negative connotation, to you, with it?

The short answer to this question is no. There is no negative connotation with the term. Like the term "redneck", "hillbilly" has become sort of a badge of pride for folks who resent the ever increasing urban influence in our culture.

Generally, we think of hillbillies as the easy-going types... old fella sittin' barefoot on his porch... mindin' his own business... with a shotgun leaned up against the wall next to him...

Where as a redneck would be the easy-going type... old fella sittin barefoot on his porch... mindin' his own business... with a shotgun across his lap.

The difference is subtle... but important.

Rednecks are more in-your-face about their disdain for city folk, city ways, and damned yankees. Hillbilly's come off as more passive agressive, and far more benevolent.

Think about Uncle Jesse... He's a great example of a hillbilly.