Gingerism

[fearfaoin]

It must be a pretty pervasive phenomenon. 'Red-headed stepchild' has become an entrenched part of the American vernacular.

I was just about to ask if this was a particularly Southern thing,
since no one had mentioned it in this thread yet. It's usually used
thusly: "Walmart treats its employees like red-headed stepchildren"
I've always wondered why red-headed stepchildren get worse
treatment than those of a different haircolor...

EDIT: I forgot, voilence is also often threatened:
"I'm'a beat you like a red-headed stepchild!"

[Steamwalker]

"Red-headed stepchild" has a different connotation. I don't think it's really related to any sort of prejudice other than the one a stepfather supposedly may feel towards a child who bares no resemblance to themself. See THIS.

"'Beating you like a red-headed stepchild' refers to a terrible beating. It is a variation of "beating you like a rented mule."

Etymology (the origin of words and phrases) is notoriously hard to pin down. The etymology of this one obviously has something to do with child abuse. Some clues to the origin of its specifics:


A stepchild is often presumed to be less favored than biological children. If a parent was abusive, a stepchild might get the worst of it. (Similarly, a rented mule would be less valuable than one you own.)

A child having red hair might be an indication that they have a different father, thereby reinforcing that they are a stepchild. "

[Walden]

First I've heard it.

First I've heard the word ginger thus used.

[djm]

A child having red hair might be an indication that they have a different father, thereby reinforcing that they are a stepchild.

It's more likely a basmati than a step-child. PC attempt to soften the blow, perhaps.

djm

[fearfaoin]

First I've heard it.

First I've heard the word ginger thus used.

Agreed. Up till now, my only contact thereof was Ginger Spice --
Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, and a goodwill ambassador for
the UN.

[fearfaoin]

It's more likely a basmati than a step-child. PC attempt to soften the blow, perhaps.

The phrase "redheaded stepchild" has been around
a lot longer than the phrase "Political Correctness".

[Doug_Tipple]

My wife has blond hair, and her friends are always sending her blond jokes. I realize that the thread is about having red hair, but thoughts relating to having blond hair and the comments that go with it aren't too far afield, I hope. I didn't know where else to squeeze it in.

GIRLS' BIKER BAR

A blind man wanders into an all girls biker bar by mistake. He finds his way to a bar stool and orders some coffee. After sitting there for awhile, he yells to the waiter, "Hey , you wanna hear a blonde joke?"
The bar immediately falls Absolutely silent. In a very deep husky voice, the woman next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, sir , I think it is only fair -- given that you are blind -- that you should know five things:
1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.
2. The bouncer is a blonde girl.
3. I'm a 6 foot tall, 175 lb. Blonde woman with a black belt in karate.
4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.
5. The lady to your right is blonde and professional wrestler.
Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?"
The blind man thinks for a second, shakes his head and mutters, "No, not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."

[BrassBlower]

[Steamwalker]

How do you get a redhead to argue with you?
Say something

How do you get a redhead's mood to change?
Wait 10 seconds

If you love a Redhead, set her free ...
If she follows you everywhere you go, pitches a tent in your front lawn and puts your new girlfriend in the hospital, she's yours.

What's safer: a redhead or a piranha?
The piranha. They only attack in schools.

How do you know a guy at the beach has a redhead for a girlfriend?
She has scratched "stay off MY TURF!" on his back with her nails.

What do you call a Redhead with an attitude?
Normal

What does a redhead, an anniversary, and a toilet have in common?
Men always miss them.

What do you call a woman who knows where her husband is every night?
A redhead!

How do you know when your redhead has forgiven you?
She stops washing your clothes in the toilet bowl

How do you know when a redhead has been using a computer?
There's a hammer embedded in the monitor

Only two things are necessary to keep a redhead happy.
One is to let her think she is having her own way,
and the other is to let her have it.

[daveboling]

It must be a pretty pervasive phenomenon. 'Red-headed stepchild' has become an entrenched part of the American vernacular.

First I've heard it.

The full cliché is "beaten like a red-haired stepchild."

As someone who has grown up (matter of opinion says my wife) with red hair, I can say that red-haired people are of unusually calm spirit, until some ignorant bugger PISSES US OFF!!
I received the average ration of abuse in school, most of it deserved. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, if not more cautious. If I carried everything different about me on my sleeve, I'd have been a grouchy, surly old f*rt. Fortunately, I'm not old yet.
Waitaminute, do you mean to say that the word f-a-r-t gets a auto-modification to save delicate readers? On this forum??
f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt.

dave boling

[gonzo914]

Waitaminute, do you mean to say that the word f-a-r-t gets a auto-modification to save delicate readers? On this forum??
f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt, f*rt.

dave boling

You cannot write that you are a grouchy, old f*rt, but you can write that you are the grouchiest of the old farts, or that of all the old farts you know, you are the grouchiest.

[Denny]

nice work ther Gonzo...

ya can't have just one

[buddhu]

Ooh, ooh... SO tempted to try some other plurals...

[peeplj]

I always thought gingerism referred to something else entirely, involving somewhat unusual uses of the ginger root.

The fact that this is a family-oriented board prohibits my explaining further.

--James

P.S. Although I have frequently heard the phrase "red-headed stepchild," I was unaware there was any particular strong prejudice against red-haired folks. I find many red-haired women to be stunningly lovely.
I have encountered the idea that red-headed people are somewhat short-tempered, but haven't found it to be so in real life, where almost everyone seems to be short-tempered, irregardless of hair pigmentation.

[crookedtune]

I always preferred MaryAnn to Ginger, anyway. (But she was always after that nerd scientist).