Where do yankees come from?

[Guest strelcevina]

If a Tennessee couple gits them a dee-vorce, are their kids still cousins?

and i was wondering why, when i was in Divorce court most comon question was , Judge is she still my cousin

[Garufa]

and i was wondering why, when i was in Divorce court most comon question was , Judge is she still my cousin

Now, Now. This ain't Alabama.

[Red9MM]

A Proper Definition and Interpretation of "The South" and "Southern" follows the following geographical boundaries:

For the states East of the Mississippi River,

The SOUTHERN states are those;

South of the Ohio River, South of the Potomac River,

Therfore those states that we correctly identify as SOUTHERN are:

from the East to West, North to South

Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky,

North Carolina, Tennessee,

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,

Florida

AND

West of the Mississippi River:

The SOUTHERN states are;

- The 3 states, West of the Mississippi River, that were member states of the Confederate States of America during the War of Northern Agression.

Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas

NOTE:

Some folks argue for the inclusion of Oklahoma (or even Missouri ).

I remain somewhat divided on the matter but will concede and allow (the idea) that the peoples of those states should choose to "opt in" as Southerners or otherwise to be considered "opted out".

Although I would probably support a default "opted in" Oklahoma.

THERFORE:

-IF YOU were blessed enough to be born in the Promised Land that includes the States listed above, "You are a Southerner by birthright"; AND

/OR If after suffering the misfortune of an unfortunate birthplace you were by grace and/or providence, relocated to the Promised Land of the South ; AND

-Live your Lifestyle according to the temporally adjusted, customs, traditions, attitudes, and manners, also and otherwise know as "The Ways", of the native born and blessed peoples of those Southern states, AND;

-Foreswear, by your adherence to the "The Ways" above , and abandonment of the hateful, high handed, and heathern ways of those misfortunate souls living in the outlands and badlands of the remainder of North America (those not included in the listed haven lands of the South, and therefore by choice or misfortune are "Northern"), THEN;

- If you are a Southern states Native; You are practicing the sacred rites and arts of our forefathers and mothers and most certainly living like and ARE A SOUTHERNER!

(If not you may be and probably are a "Yankee Poser!" A most low form of living quickly identidifed by an addiction to TV shows like "Jersey Shore" and "Real HOuSewives of New York/Orange County/Beverly Hills" and fantasies of being a cast member next season.)

-Non-Natives Continue below;

-IF by, and thru, the conscious agreement of the native elect by whose regular presences you are graced, are living in accordance to the Ways described above, then they might confirm that, y'all might be considered an adapted and adopted "Southerner"!

Instead of just some Damn Yankee!

This coveted title can be accquired but certainly not thru y'all selecting it for yourself.

It is a Title of Honor to be vigilantly upheld by you. For Unfortunately it can be revoked for those "adoptees" that become hopelessly backslidden into their former "Yankee Ways."

In Eastern Tennesse a quick "field test" for suspected Yankeeness (or otherwise foreignness) is:

-Proper pronounciation of the following place names: Maryville, Oak Ridge, LaFollete, Luttrell.

-Proper pronounciation of these words and simple phrases: Tire, Fire, Car, Neyland, Did You Eat Yet?, Where is my car parked?

-The correct identification of the following: When is correct time of day for each of the following: a. Dinner, b.Supper, c. Football

-Possession of any of the following: Paraphenalia associated to any "Big 10", "PAC 10" or "Ivy League" school is considered caught red-damn-handed.

-Rejection of an offer of a meal that includes any of the following: Grits, Pinto Beans and Cornbread, Country Ham (with or without the option of red-eye gravy), Fried Chicken twice in the same day, or Sweet Iced Tea !

Failure of any of these simple tests will result in issue of the following verbal citation:

Y'all ain't from around here, now are ya?

These are the results caused by "Yankeeness". A SERIOUS, but not necessarily life threatening, condition easily reversible, but usually Terminal.

If you are issued the above citiation by a Southerner consider it a call to repentance from your Yankee ways!

No One knows how much time they have left. Cross over now. Just as y'all are.

Other regions of the South have there own standards.

The above information may be used as a handy reference for self identification and field identification of what correctly is and is not "Southern" or the "The South" and was posted at all checkpoints along the borders and ports of entry in the South until some Damn Yankee, offended and embaressed by the facts, came along back when and sneakily had them removed during a SEC Super Saturday when all attention in the South was properly focused on the more important matters of the day.

No matter though.

We still know who the Hell y'all are!

LOL!!!

Edited January 14, 2011 by Red9MM

[seez52]

so, anyone know how a yankee is like a hemorrhoid? ....

If he comes down and goes back up he's OK, but if he comes down and stays down, he's nothing but a pain in the a$$.

[Guest 731david]

so, anyone know how a yankee is like a hemorrhoid? ....

If he comes down and goes back up he's OK, but if he comes down and stays down, he's nothing but a pain in the a$$.

You got my vote...

[DWARREN123]

Same as everyone else. From their MOM and DAD!

[enfield]

Thank ya. Red9mm - I understand now.

Please pass them grits . . . .

[gunrunner32]

Are some Ohioans, some Hoosiers, and some Illini NOT yankees?

Yay, so there is hope for a boy from Cincinnati.

[enfield]

Yay, so there is hope for a boy from Cincinnati.

According to Red9mm's post, yes there's hope that you might become (or are!) a naturalized Southerner. It's that danged Ohio River!

So close, and yet so far away! I'll bet you even know that tire and car rhyme, doncha?

[Tempest455]

Funny, i thought I was an American.

X2.

[ttocswob]

You can always tell a Yankee...but you can't tell him much!

[enfield]

Funny, i thought I was an American.

We all are, but it's helpful to know where you stand in the local pecking order -- it's better to be a peck-or than a peck-ee.

[robbiev]

I was born in the south. Southern California that is. Do I get a classification?

IIRC, Randy Quaid said, "If you're from California, you're not a Yankee. You're not really anything."

[Red9MM]

Thank ya. Red9mm - I understand now.

Please pass them grits . . . .

Yer most welcome Enfield!

<passes bowl of grits> Here ya go!

Don't fergit to add the butter and sugar to taste!

Theres endless ways to accessorize yer grits; honey, cheese, cinnamon, spoon of gravy, and on and on.

Its kinda like picking what to hang off the rails of yer AR.

Everyone will have an opinion of whats right and WRONG for yer grits.

xspear-a-mints to find find yer own!

Most of that little "wiki article" LOL I posted is IMO and meant tounge firmly in cheek.

the part about what states are the South is just from discussion I 've had with fellow southerners over the years and is not by any means authoritative.

I know many folks that will raise all kinds of hell over the inclusion of KY an WV and more so on the OK/MO point.

They will die fighting to the last on that hill of "If they didn't fight for the South,(aka CSA) they aint the South.

My rationale is WV was part of VA at the start of the War between the states and many parts of KY did vote to seceed and fought with the CSA troops.

But more than anything else is that they ,for the most part, do consider themselves a Southern state and have the Southern Ways.

OK was Indian Terrritory during the Civil War but aligned with the South. and ask an Okie if he's a southerner or Yankee and Most will tell ya "I sure as Hell ain't no Damn Yankee!"

LOL

[enfield]

WV sent troops to both sides, as did Tennessee. My GGGrandpappy's brother won the MOH during the War, obviously while fighting for the North. The northwestern counties of VA always felt like the poor cousins of the tidewater Virginians as they had few slaves, there were no plantations, and their needs were generally ignored. Secession was a bitter pill for a lot of them to swallow.

[sigmtnman]

Southern is absolutely not a state of mind. To be a southerner you had to have kin living/fighting for the south during the war of yankee aggression.

They can live in the south and be OK or accepted, but they would still be yankees till they die. Therefor it is mostly a genetic disease, regardless of being born south of the MDL.

I know this. Ask my yankee brother in laws.

[Guest Letereat!]

I think a period map of the "Grand ole Line" should be used, So I think Enfield is safe, specially if he was Lurkin round in the dark on our account. I do believe one can be Reformed, as Jamie stated, but one is always subject to interrogation and or corporal punishment if he should begin to show signs of backsliding or Hersey; that being said, I don't think three years is near enough time to pass all the required "rights" ........ it would take some serious dedication. Any goose stepping whatsoever will get you shot on sight as well.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Letereat!

[Red9MM]

I think a period map of the "Grand ole Line" should be used, So I think Enfield is safe, specially if he was Lurkin round in the dark on our account. I do believe one can be Reformed, as Jamie stated, but one is always subject to interrogation and or corporal punishment if he should begin to show signs of backsliding or Hersey; that being said, I don't think three years is near enough time to pass all the required "rights" ........ it would take some serious dedication. Any goose stepping whatsoever will get you shot on sight as well.

I would agree with the map above as far as the Southern states go., at least in 1861 this was true.

I don't think any Southerner today would call Maryland or Deleware a member of the Southern brotherhood of states.

Again Missouri...., I don't think people in St.Louis, Kansas City or Springfield would call themselves a Southerner do you?

Oklahoma, I'll say...., Yeah, I guess so OK is OK with me. LOL

Intresting that the area at the top of the map was called "BRITISH AMERICA" back then, which of course is CANADA today.

I'm a huge History and Geography buff and I don't ever recall seeing the area of modern day Canada refered to as "British America" on any map before.

Learn something new every day.

[Guest Letereat!]

I would agree with the map above as far as the Southern states go., at least in 1861 this was true.

I don't think any Southerner today would call Maryland or Deleware a member of the Southern brotherhood of states.

Again Missouri...., I don't think people in St.Louis, Kansas City or Springfield would call themselves a Southerner do you?

Oklahoma, I'll say...., Yeah, I guess so OK is OK with me. LOL

Intresting that the area at the top of the map was called "BRITISH AMERICA" back then, which of course is CANADA today.

I'm a huge History and Geography buff and I don't ever recall seeing the area of modern day Canada refered to as "British America" on any map before.

Learn something new every day.

I was stunned by the "British America" label as well, never heard or seen that anywhere either.

I get your point, it is up for debate, I got a whole mess o kin from Delaware, Catholic Yanks to boot, we had lots of fun growing up but their all Flamin yanks and I cant help that their family......:-\

This Map squarely abolishes Misery etc, West Virginian Spies and soldiers in service for the south are squarely in still. BUT, it leaves out Texas............

Mason dixon line image by monumentfloyd on Photobucket

Edited January 14, 2011 by Letereat!

[seez52]

Although Maryland was and is considered a northern state by us in the south, (many Marylanders consider themselves part of the south, of course who could blame them for that considering the alternative). There were some sympathies from the south for Marylanders, and even a letter from R.E. Lee offering to come up there and help "throw off this foreign yoke and restore independence and sovereignty.... taking to you your natural position among them [other southern states]" Sept. 8, 1862

[Murgatroy]

Being born in Washington State while my father served in the Navy, I have always considered myself a Southerner, and a Tennessean as both of my parents were born and raised in West Tennessee. As were their parents and their parents before them. Where they came from before that doesn't really matter.

We didn't move back to Tennessee until my father retired. I was ten at the time.

I spent a bit of time confused of course, as most transplanted Brats do when they return to 'home.' But I'll be damned if am not a Tennessean at this point in my life. No matter where I have moved (I have left state three times in twenty years) I have always returned home. My children have all been born here. And if I have my way about it, I will be buried here.

There are a lot of opinions about what defines a Yankee, and what defines a Southerner, but most importantly it is attitude.

And Yankees sure do have that.

[Guest Letereat!]

If both your rents are from below the line, Your Dads Military Service is like a sabbatical and has no bearing on Status and or classification so it don't matter weather you were born in Hanoi or Irian Jaya IMHO. Furthermore it is a long held and Honorable tradition. When you move back its like u never left.

And all 10 year old boys are confused anyway so i doubt you raised any red flags.......

Yer a Damn suthern Redneck all day as i see it.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Letereat!

[inspecting1]

Well I will probably get in trouble for this but what the hell. In Louisiana a yankee is defined as the string on the end of a ............ Use your imagination

[Motasyco]

According to my friends in Louisiana, anyone from north of I-10 is a yankee. I guess it's a matter of perspective.

[Guest Guy N. Cognito]

Southern is absolutely not a state of mind. To be a southerner you had to have kin living/fighting for the south during the war of yankee aggression.

They can live in the south and be OK or accepted, but they would still be yankees till they die. Therefor it is mostly a genetic disease, regardless of being born south of the MDL.

I know this. Ask my yankee brother in laws.

It's amazing to me that some people are still fighting that war in their head.