where did the term redneck come from

The term "redneck" originated in the 19th century in the southern United States and initially referred to poor, rural white farmers and laborers whose necks were sunburned from working long hours outdoors under the sun. This literal meaning of having a "red neck" from sun exposure marked them as working-class and distinguished them socially from more affluent classes. The term was first attested in print in 1830 and was used as a derogatory slur by middle and upper-class whites to describe these laborers. Over time, "redneck" became a class-related insult, often associated with lack of education and rural poverty, but it also came to emphasize hard, honest labor and masculine values. Additionally, the term took on political connotations in the early 20th century when coal miners and labor union members wore red bandanas around their necks as symbols of solidarity, reinforcing the term's association with working-class identity. By the late 20th century, some people embraced the term as a badge of pride despite its derogatory origins.