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Good ol' boy is a slang term used, either to self-identify as or to refer to a male, usually Caucasian and of Northern/Western-European descent, who lives in a rural area and/or subscribes to a traditionally "rural" lifestyle. The term is generally thought to originate in the rural areas of the southern and southwestern U.S. While other terms such as redneck, hick, yokel, "Bubba", and "white trash" are also applied, though usually pejoratively and are often interchanged with "good ol' boy," the "good ol' boy" is more of an idealized image of rural Americans, Canadians and Australians. Image File history File links Circle-question. ... The Good Ol Boy Network describes a system of social networking and perceptions alleged to exist prevalently among certain communities and social strata in the southern United States (commonly, The South). ... Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speakers dialect or language. ... Rural area in Dalarna, Sweden Qichun, a rural town in Hubei province, China Rural areas (also referred to as the country, countryside) are sparsely settled places away from the influence of large cities. ... The cast of The Dukes of Hazzard, representing an assortment of redneck stereotypes. ... Hick (also country hick or country bumpkin) is a derogatory term for a person from a rural area. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Bubba is a relationship nickname formed from brother, given to boys to indicate their role in the family, especially the oldest male sibling. ... White trash is racial slur with a classist component targeted almost exclusively at non-Latino white people and connoting low social status or poor prospects (i. ...

Fine distinctions

There are two fine distinctions in usage:

• "He's just a good ol' boy havin' a little fun." The "just" indicates the term is being used in the sense described above.
• "How come I can't get in on that business deal, get into that clique, etc.?" "You gotta be a good ol' boy." In this sense, it means you have to belong to the particular good ol' boy network.
• "He's a good ol' boy." This can have either meaning, depending on the situation.

"Good ol' boys" are generally thought to work in blue-collar professions like skilled trades, resource extraction (mining, forestry); agriculture, law enforcement or enlisted military service. Recreations are stereotypically hunting, fishing, gambling, spectator sports such as pro wrestling or NASCAR and country music, rock 'n' roll, specifically "Southern Rock" as made popular by artists such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, or American folk music. Purchases for which a "good ol' boy" would save his pennies would be customized cars and/or motorcycles, sporting boats (particularly for bass fishing), satellite dishes, hunting and fishing equipment, or specialized small appliances (such as turkey deep-fryers). A clique (pronounced AmE , BrE ) is an informal and restricted social group formed by people who share common interests (formal social groups are referred to as societies or organizations). ... The Good Ol Boy Network describes a system of social networking and perceptions alleged to exist prevalently among certain communities and social strata in the southern United States (commonly, The South). ... A blue-collar worker is a working class employee who performs manual or technical labor, such as in a factory or in technical maintenance trades, in contrast to a white-collar worker, who does non-manual work generally at a desk. ... Professional wrestling is a form of performance entertainment where the participants engage in simulated sporting matches. ... The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Rock and roll - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash, February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a multi Grammy Award-winning influential American country and rock and roll singer and songwriter. ... Waylon Jennings in the 1960s. ... Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced lĕh-nérd skin-nérd) or (IPA pronunciation: ) is a U.S. Southern rock band, described by All Music Guides Stephen Thomas Erlewine as the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious, Southern image and a hard... The Eagles are an American rock music group that originally came together in Los Angeles, California in the early 1970s. ... Creedence Clearwater Revival, commonly referred to by their initials CCR or simply Creedence, was an American rock band, fronted by John Fogerty. ...

The "good ol' boy's" dress is casual, but neat; work or casual button-down shirts are often worn over jeans and Western-style boots, but this uniform can vary with the region; sneakers or lug-soled shoes or boots may replace the cowboy boots outside of "horse country". Some clothing usually applicable to "rednecks" or other negative stereotypes, such as sleeveless t-shirts or jogging pants, will not be found on a "good ol' boy's" back. Such men tend to possess a laid-back, informal manner, speaking in most cases with accents and idioms specific to their region of origin, such as Appalachian English (or Southern American English) or Broad Australian English. Appalachian English is a common name for the Southern Midland dialect of American English. ... The Southern United States Red states show the core of the American South. ... Australian English (AuE) is the form of the English language used in Australia. ...

While owing much to Mark Twain or, even earlier, to the fabliau tradition of folk literature or the Robin Hood tales in some respects, the image of the "good ol' boy" in North American and Australian culture is a modern interpretation of the earlier American cowboy. Evolving through the emergence of rock 'n' roll and "new" country music, national exposure to the underground motorcycle culture and, later, the rise in influence of the youth counter-culture of the 1960s, it emerged in its present incarnation by the mid-1970s as the popularity of country and folk music peaked and Western-style fashion featured prominently in popular culture, and has remained largely intact ever since. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910),[1] better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American humorist, satirist, writer, and lecturer. ... The fabliau (plural fabliaux) is a comic, usually anonymous tale written by jongleurs in northeast France circa the 13th Century. ... Robin Hood memorial statue in Nottingham. ... For other uses, see Cowboy (disambiguation). ... Rock and roll - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

The term, and the type, especially gained popularity throughout North America from the theme, sung by Waylon Jennings, of the highly-successful U.S. television series The Dukes of Hazzard (CBS, 1978-1985), about the lead characters Bo and Luke Duke (played by John Schneider and Tom Wopat respectively.) Other characterizations of the type include roles by Burt Reynolds in the Cannonball Run films and, with Jerry Reed and Sally Field, in the Smokey and the Bandit films of the late 1970s. More recently, observational humor by comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy has illustrated the extent to which rural North Americans have embraced the type. Waylon Jennings in the 1960s. ... This article is becoming very long. ... John Schneider is the name of the following unrelated people: John Schneider is an actor best known for his television roles, particularly The Dukes of Hazzard. ... Tom Wopat (left) as Luke Duke with John Schneider as Bo Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard Tom Wopat (born September 9, 1951 in Lodi, Wisconsin) is an American actor. ... Burt Reynolds (born Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. ... Cannonball Run can refer to the following: Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an outlaw automobile race of the 1970s or its many copycat successors Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II, movies inspired by the races Cannonball Run 2001, a USA Network reality television show inspired by... Jerry Reed Hubbard (born March 20, 1937) is an American country music singer, country guitarist, songwriter, and actor. ... Sally Margaret Field Mahoney (born November 6, 1946) is an American actress who is a two-time Academy Award and Golden Globe winner; she is also a two-time Emmy Award winner who became a household name at age 20 as Sister Bertrille in the 1960s sitcom, The Flying Nun. ... Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 movie starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams, and Mike Henry. ... Observational comedy is a brand of humor based on making remarks about various facets of daily life. ... Comedian Jeff Foxworthy accepts a new jacket from 3rd Infantry Division Commander Army Maj. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Characters of the "good ol' boy" type are well-loved and regarded, and the term thus has generally a positive connotation: that such males are hard-working, loyal, and respectful; are friendly, helpful, gallant, and hospitable even to strangers; place great personal emphasis on close ties to one's faith, family (in the most expansive sense), and community; and bring to their vocations and their lot in life both humor and a simple dignity, even as they perform heroic actions and aspire to greater accomplishments within their sphere. In such characterizations, the "good ol' boy", more clever and resourceful than his formal education would suggest, uses the means at his disposal to put down some larger evil, even though he himself is often held as an outlaw figure or, at least, is dismissed or underestimated by others because of his origins.

Any misbehavior on the hero's part, however, owes more to simple mischief or mild rebellion than to psychopathology or lack of scruples. Vices for the "good ol' boy" would be two or three beers at his local watering-hole, speeding or fighting, the latter often an attempt to attract or impress members of the opposite sex (especially as young adults) rather than to inflict lasting injury. Unlike "rednecks", however, "Good ol' boys" are not portrayed using other drugs, willfully endangering life or livelihood, nor abusing or exploiting women.

Perhaps as a product of the times and reflective of the influence of second-wave feminism, women in these films and shows are, in fact, portrayed as equal or superior to the men in skill, cleverness and moxie; all the while exploiting the old gender inequities to their advantage (talking their way out of speeding tickets, for example, or accepting favors from love-struck acquaintances) and remaining relatively morally virtuous. In this light, Daisy Duke (as portrayed by Catherine Bach on the show) is often considered a feminist icon, while Sally Field's role as the long-suffering girlfriend to Burt Reynolds' wild and irreverent Bandit in the Smokey films is a study in women's struggle between their newfound sexual freedom and the old need for stability and security, even within an egalitarian relationship as she enjoys/endures with the Bandit. The "good ol' boys" are generally content to allow the girls their freedoms even while defending their honour and protecting their virtue, much as Gawain in the Green Knight Arthurian Legend leaves the Loathly Lady to make her own choice: both appear to recognize the need for a woman to choose her own fate in order to be happy and in both such a treatment of women constitutes a significant part of their respective moral codes. Feminism is a collection of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies largely motivated by or concerned with the liberation of women. ... The original Daisy Duke from the television series, played by Catherine Bach The Dixie Daisy Mae Duke is a fictional character, played by Catherine Bach, from the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Sally Margaret Field Mahoney (born November 6, 1946) is an American actress who is a two-time Academy Award and Golden Globe winner; she is also a two-time Emmy Award winner who became a household name at age 20 as Sister Bertrille in the 1960s sitcom, The Flying Nun. ... Burt Reynolds (born Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. ... Butch Cassidy, a famous outlaw An outlaw, a person living the lifestyle of outlawry, is most familiar to contemporary readers as a stock character in Western movies. ... Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain (Gwalchmai, Gawan, Gauvain, Walewein etc. ... Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th century metrical romance recorded in a manuscript containing three other pieces of an altogether more Christian orientation, which are linked by a commonality of dialect usage. ... King Arthur is an important figure in the mythology of Britain. ...

As a result of their virtues and great personal charisma, "good ol' boys" have endeared themselves to audiences over time to such an extent as to be considered iconic. When a film version of The Dukes of Hazzard was released in 2005, fans of the original television show seeking a simple remake were largely disappointed by the reduction of a much-loved slice-of-life comedy and its characters into a frathouse-level ridicule of rural stereotypes. As originally portrayed, however, the "good ol' boy" is regarded with great affection and its portrayal in pop culture has allowed the type to flourish, in one form or another, throughout North America. This article is becoming very long. ...

The Blues Brothers

"The Good Ole Boys" is also the name of a Country Western band in the popular 1980 musical/comedy The Blues Brothers. After the Blues Brothers take a gig reserved for The Good Ole Boys, they attempt to kill band leaders Jake and Elwood Blues. This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

References

See also

• Preacher (comics)
• Redneck

02:14, 27 January 2007 (UTC)Wsmeltonjr==External links== Preacher was a comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, published by the American comic book label Vertigo imprint of DC Comics, with painted covers by Glenn Fabry. ... The cast of The Dukes of Hazzard, representing an assortment of redneck stereotypes. ...

• Audio to Waylon Jennings' Good Ol' Boy Song
• Website of Southern Writer, Humorist, and Good Ol' Boy W.S. "Bill" Melton, Jr.