Sandlapper or Tar Heel? (Charleston, Greenville: job market, construction, school)

[Colddiamond102]

Alright, Ive been pondering this, so I'll post it in both the NC/SC forums and let ya'll decide.

I was born in Charlotte, raised until about 5-6 in nearby Gastonia ( Gaston County if you want to be picky), and then moved here to SC at 6 years old. My dad and my relatives (mother's side) all still live there, so all throughout my childhood I was back and forth between the two states.

Given this information, my question is this:

Which am I? Sandlapper or Tar-Heel? Born in one state, raised between two. So which nickname is rightfully mine?

Opinions, anyone??

[guestposter24]

Sand-Heel?

[Colddiamond102]

LOL Never heard of that one before

[Geechie North]

Interestingly, the term "Sandlapper" was a deragatory one, and an insult to South Carolinians for most of its history. It's origin is debated, stemming either from a taunt the Brits used for the Carolina Militia (famous for running away) or else the Sand Hills of the interior- famous for poverty and backwardness. A magazine of the same name which began circulation in the 1960's is the source of contemporary usage.

Another traditional name for South Carolinians is "Weasel". This dubious appelation was first used by the Brits against Francis Marion (famous for the hit and run tactic) and later as a nickname for the entire population just as Wisconsinites are called Badgers.

The inhabitants rejected it, and it died away for a time, only to be given new life by Georgians during Sherman's March to the Sea where they frequently told the Yankee troops to be "Sure to punish those Weasels as they were the ones who started this war."

[waccamatt]

I'd say you're whichever one you want to be or none of the above.

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by Geechie North

Interestingly, the term "Sandlapper" was a deragatory one, and an insult to South Carolinians for most of its history. It's origin is debated, stemming either from a taunt the Brits used for the Carolina Militia (famous for running away) or else the Sand Hills of the interior- famous for poverty and backwardness. A magazine of the same name which began circulation in the 1960's is the source of contemporary usage.

Another traditional name for South Carolinians is "Weasel". This dubious appelation was first used by the Brits against Francis Marion (famous for the hit and run tactic) and later as a nickname for the entire population just as Wisconsinites are called Badgers.

The inhabitants rejected it, and it died away for a time, only to be given new life by Georgians during Sherman's March to the Sea where they frequently told the Yankee troops to be "Sure to punish those Weasels as they were the ones who started this war."

Wow. I didnt know that! Thats very interesting. I never knew it used to be a derogatory term.

So do South Carolinians not have any positive nicknames??

[Geechie North]

Denver - Demver - Delegating Denver #45 of 56: South Carolina


From this site:


"How to Recognize a South Carolina Delegate:
The tourism slogan of "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places" is just a poetic figure of speech for this state's ability to "grin and bear it." South Carolinians have not had it easy. The uplands were populated by poor Scots driven out of Virginia, and the low country was peopled with slaves from the west coast of Africa. At first the aristocracy, and later the government, managed the suspicious masses through intimidation and indoctrination. The culture of power is still prevalent today, from the Old Testament dating rules imposed upon students at Bob Jones University in Greenville to the new-world ordering of jarheads at the Marine Corps Boot Camp on Parris Island. The recent population boom of relocating Florida retirees and the tightening job market has only preserved the practices of forming cliques and fitting in. South Carolinians in Denver will be the delegates who like to hang out in small packs at convenience stores and ask status-conscious questions like "Where do your kids go to school?' and "What kind of Volvo do you drive?" Females will wear lightweight long-sleeved cotton blouses over tight-fitting tank tops and cotton slacks. Males will proudly wear pastel shades of Charleston Khakis made by Berle Manufacturing, topped with Vineyard Vines Thin Striped Murray shirts. Fair Warning: South Carolinians love period dress. They are the delegation most likely to be seen at convention parties in pirate, American Revolution and/or Civil War costumes."

That's courtesy of Colbert & Co.

I truly don't know of any positive nicknames for South Carolinians. Even "Geechee" has its negatives. In the inner cities of the Northeast (where the black Gullah folks fled after reconstruction collapsed and slavery for all practical purposes was reinstituted), Geechees were the guys who always packed a knife or straight razor, and would cut you for the slightest perceived wrong.

On the other hand, SC has always produced a crop of people who have a keen eye for the fundamental wackiness of the society. For example, the description of SC as "Too small to be a nation and too large to be an insane asylum" was given by one Mr. Pettigru, a member of the Charleston aristocracy, and ardent Unionist, in the days after the state seceeded.

[Colddiamond102]

lol I think I'll settle with what Guestposter suggested.

Sand-Heel.