When I say 'hillbilly' what comes to your mind?

I had a roommate who was from a suburb of Hazzard, Kentucky. She said she was a hillbilly. I went to her house - they had a 2 seater outhouse with a view, there were only 3 walls on it, they had to pump water and bet the tub from the barn, heat the water on the stove and close up the kitchen to take a bath. They made their own moonshine and Grandma told us not to go out at night, since the neighbors were feuding. When was this in the 1970's. I know to a lot of people that is a life time ago, but I did not realize that life in the US was like that in the 70s.

Derogatory No not at all. I think of hillbilly being women who cook good ol' fashioned meals and some toe tappin violin/guitar pickin music. Men in work clothes women wearing aprons and homes that are lived in and the welcome mat always at the door.

No, hillbilly, to me means a person from the hills, not backwards, but takes a simpler approach to life that many deem behind times. They work hard and take pride in their job and they don't take short cuts. Family is first and foremost, and they don't budge from their morals. Money doesn't have much value to them as who they are and their loved ones do. Most of all they don't back down, they stand their ground firm and strong when push comes to shove.

The first thing that comes to my mind with hillbilly is my mom! She was born in New Haven, WV. I don't find it derogatory because I find it fascinating! I've love sharing all the hillbilly information, such as home remedy type things that she has taught me. Stories of swimming in the Ohio River, seeing "the sticks" well, really makes your mind wander. I think I'll head that way in my retirement years!

Honestly? When I hear the term "hillbilly" I think of dungarees, checkered red shirts and a banjo. The straw hanging out of the mouth is optional, but the piano key teeth are not! I know, of course, that this is not the reality, but I do consider the word hillbilly to be a derogatory term. I have a lot of respect for rural farming communities, I could never do their job! x

When I think of a hillbilly I think of the Hatefild and the McCoys in their staw hats and overalls with their muskets, fighting a fude that neighten one knows who started. I think of moonshine runners and uneducated people who are innerbread with each other. I know that is probably not what a hillbilly is but that is what comes to mind.

I'm so bad, but I cannot help it. The first thought that comes to me is someone in overall genes and a straw week hanging out of their mouth.

Yeah, I think of farm people. People that live a simple life with no much at all. They usual wear overalls and talk funny than the average people.

As I am from the UK I can only go by what I have seen portrayed as a hillbilly. A banjo player who marries his/her closet relatives. Someone who has 6 toes or fingers on each foot or hand. Someone from the deep south, or who lives in small towns. I have watched Deliverance and Southern Comfort and they freaked me out. We have places in England such as Norfolk, where this expression has been used about the residents there. If I am not correct I would like to know as I am not sure. Ding Dang Do!!! I do find the term derogatory, the same as when someone says "white trash". Its a complete put down and stereotype, which in our PC world should not be allowed.

First thing that comes to my mind is the Clamppetts, Granny, Ellie Mae, Jethro and Paw. When I first came to the States I loved that show. I hate people being labeled I would never do it and as I am not from the hills (not even the Scottish Highlands) I wouldn't find it derogatory.

West Virginians are known as hillbillys and it usually does not bother me unless people are making fun of us in West Virginia. The people here are some of the nicest people that you will ever meet. They are very generous,kind and loving people. Most are anyway. When I hear someone making fun of us it really upsets me.

My first encounter with this word was when I saw a band on the Andy Griffith show and Barney referred to them as hillbillies. The band was a family called the Darlings and they were a "jug" band. I thought they were so cute and had a child's innocence about them. That's what comes to mind when I here that word. Nowadays I can say that today's modern families can learn a thing or two from the Darlings and even Andy Griffith. Today I think people do use this word in a derogatory way. Being able to afford an education doesn't give anyone the right to look down on those who can't.

I think the term is most often used in a derogatory manner, crazynurse, but people are people. I wish others would stop labeling different people according to where they live. You can be in a place but not of a place. I have lived in places that had a bad reputation, but that didn't make me like the people who gave the place a bad name.

my family? just kiddin but we do come from a rural farming community. We have been picked on. Its all in fun. Actually when I think of hillbillies, i think of that old show the beverly hillbillys.. No I don't find it derogatory only because I've heard it so much. My cousins actually had a farm in the country and heard it more than my family did. Any comments I've heard have all been meant in fun so no big deal. You have to be able to laugh at yourself.

I'm so bad, but I cannot help it. The first thought that comes to me is someone in overall jeans, a plaid shirt, and a straw wead hanging out of their mouth.