The American South: Language and Culture

This page introduces key vocabulary related to the American South, focusing on social groups, regional slang, and cultural concepts.

Vocabulary: Redneck - A poor white person without education, especially one living in the countryside in the southern US, who often has prejudiced ideas and beliefs. The term originates from the red necks farm workers would get from working in the sun.

Vocabulary: Hillbilly - A person from a mountainous area of the US who has a simple way of life and is often considered to be slightly stupid by people living in towns and cities.

Vocabulary: White trash - An insulting colloquial term referring to white people who are poor and poorly educated.

The vocabulary list also includes words like "kudzu" (a wild plant that spreads quickly), "crooked" (not forming a straight line), and "rural" (relating to the countryside). These terms are often associated with the landscape and lifestyle of the American South.

Definition: Bible Belt - An informal region in the Southern United States where socially conservative evangelical Protestantism plays a strong role in society and politics.

The page also touches on emotional concepts like "despair" and "adversity," which are common themes in Southern literature and culture. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these terms in context to appreciate the nuances of Southern American English and culture.