Throughout the United States and even abroad, the terms hillbilly and redneck have been used interchangeably by many people.  Some argue that they are the same thing, whilst others are firmly set that they are in-fact two very different and distinct things.  According to Google’s omnipotent power, the term hillbilly is a person that is considered to be “unsophisticated” and from the country.  Interestingly, the definition includes an inherent association with Appalachia.  The term redneck is defined by Google as an individual of the working class and not only this, but a “political reactionary from a rural area”.  I find the definition of redneck here to be especially intriguing as I have never associated the term redneck directly with politics other than that I thought that they are usually conservative.  These terms are both often used derogatorily to assault someone as being poor, backwards, unintelligent, etc.  I have even heard the terms used to describe someone as disagreeable, conflicting, or argumentative before.  As far as ways that the terms are used in a positive manner, many people have this new idea that redneck is the thing to emulate in some cases and cool in society to be “country” or something to that nature.  I have never fully understood this pseudo-culture of redneck emulation, but a lot of people are really into it for one reason or another.  To me, when I think of redneck or hillbilly in a positive manner, I think of the moonshiners and the simple country living in the mountains with the classic log cabin Americana style going on.  I think of surviving off of the land.  With regards to these classical and more positive contexts, I think hillbilly more than I do redneck.  To me, I see redneck to have a heavier negative connotation.  I see examples of these terms used everywhere these days in society and everywhere. It would be silly to say that these terms were only used in certain locations.  My point here being that they have such a heavy proliferation in society that they are essentially common diction.  The words, interestingly though, mean different things to different individuals of different classes, and this can be easily observed.  Just listen to people’s conversations.  There is a fairly good chance that one of the terms will come up in one fashion or another.  Whether people think negatively about the term or not, it is clear that the Appalachian people are proud of there heritage and for them to be a hillbilly is an honor. Lastly,  as far as the subject of if a person can be both a redneck and a hillbilly goes, I believe that depends on one’s definitions of the terms.

 

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=redneck

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=hillbilly