Regional endearments (was Cracker)

[Steven Maas (CUTR)]

Ted Samsel wrote:
> Whip cracker is right..
> but not slaves.. more like oldtime ox & mule teamsters...

A minor point--from what I've heard living in Fla. for nearly 12 years now
the word is thought to have come from the actual "Crack!" sound a whip
makes.

> the po'white trash is "cracker", the gentility ain't.

But now many of the old-time pioneer families are rich, often because
great great granddaddy's farm or ranch is now a subdivision or mall.  And
many of them still like to call themselves Crackers.

	Steve Maas

> according to my sources, which include Peter Matheissen..
> and Garland Roark.