Georgia cracker
Encyclopedia
Georgia Cracker refers to the original American
pioneer settler
s of the Province of Georgia
(later, the State of Georgia
), and their descendants. It is different from the pejorative term for southern whites. For that usage, see cracker (pejorative)
.
In the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, Georgia ranchers came to be known as Georgia Crackers by Floridians when they drove their cattle down into the grassy flatlands of Central Florida to graze in the winter, stopping where the citrus groves began. Instead of firing into the air as many "cowboy films" showed to get the cattle's attention they became very good at cracking
a bullwhip over their heads.
The term "cracker" was in use during Elizabethan times to describe braggarts. The original root of this is the Middle English
word crack meaning "entertaining conversation" (One may be said to "crack" a joke; a witty remark is a "wisecrack"). This term and the Gaelic spelling "craic" are still in use in Ireland
and Scotland
. It is documented in Shakespeare's King John (1595): "What cracker is this... that deafes our eares / With this abundance of superfluous breath?"
By the 1760s the English, both at home and in the American colonies, applied the term “Cracker” to Scotch-Irish and English
settlers of the remote southern back country, as noted in a passage from a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth
: "I should explain to your Lordship what is meant by Crackers; a name they have got from being great boasters; they are a lawless set of rascalls on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, who often change their places of abode." The word was later associated with the cowboys of Georgia and Florida
, many of them descendants of those early frontiersmen.
in the late 20th century, "Georgia cracker" has become used informally by some white residents of Georgia of Scotch-Irish and English
stock, to indicate that their family has lived there for many generations. The term is also occasionally used as a pejorative to refer to whites; see Cracker (pejorative)
.
The “Cracker Party” was a Democratic Party political machine
that dominated city politics in Augusta, Georgia
for over half of the 20th century.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pioneer settler
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
s of the Province of Georgia
Province of Georgia
The Province of Georgia was one of the Southern colonies in British America. It was the last of the thirteen original colonies established by Great Britain in what later became the United States...
(later, the State of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
), and their descendants. It is different from the pejorative term for southern whites. For that usage, see cracker (pejorative)
Cracker (pejorative)
Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a pejorative term for white people. It is an ethnic slur that is especially used for the white inhabitants of the U.S. states of Georgia and Florida , but it is also used throughout the United States.-Etymology:One theory holds that the term comes from the...
.
In the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, Georgia ranchers came to be known as Georgia Crackers by Floridians when they drove their cattle down into the grassy flatlands of Central Florida to graze in the winter, stopping where the citrus groves began. Instead of firing into the air as many "cowboy films" showed to get the cattle's attention they became very good at cracking
Whipcracking
Whipcracking is the act of producing a cracking sound through the use of a whip. Originating during mustering and horse driving/riding, it has become an art of its own. A rhythmic whipcracking belongs to the traditional culture among various Germanic peoples of Bavaria , various Alpine areas ,...
a bullwhip over their heads.
The term "cracker" was in use during Elizabethan times to describe braggarts. The original root of this is the Middle English
Middle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
word crack meaning "entertaining conversation" (One may be said to "crack" a joke; a witty remark is a "wisecrack"). This term and the Gaelic spelling "craic" are still in use in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is documented in Shakespeare's King John (1595): "What cracker is this... that deafes our eares / With this abundance of superfluous breath?"
By the 1760s the English, both at home and in the American colonies, applied the term “Cracker” to Scotch-Irish and English
English American
English Americans are citizens or residents of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England....
settlers of the remote southern back country, as noted in a passage from a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth
Earl of Dartmouth
Earl of Dartmouth is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1711 for William Legge, 2nd Baron Dartmouth. The Legge family descended from Edward Legge, Vice-President of Munster. His eldest son William Legge was a Royalist army officer and close associate of Prince Rupert of the...
: "I should explain to your Lordship what is meant by Crackers; a name they have got from being great boasters; they are a lawless set of rascalls on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, who often change their places of abode." The word was later associated with the cowboys of Georgia and Florida
Florida cracker
Florida cracker refers to original colonial-era English and American pioneer settlers of what is now the U.S. state of Florida, and their descendants. The first Florida crackers arrived in 1763 when Spain traded Florida to Great Britain...
, many of them descendants of those early frontiersmen.
Usage
The term is used as a proud or jocular self-description. Since the huge influx of new residents into Georgia from the northern parts of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the late 20th century, "Georgia cracker" has become used informally by some white residents of Georgia of Scotch-Irish and English
English American
English Americans are citizens or residents of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England....
stock, to indicate that their family has lived there for many generations. The term is also occasionally used as a pejorative to refer to whites; see Cracker (pejorative)
Cracker (pejorative)
Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a pejorative term for white people. It is an ethnic slur that is especially used for the white inhabitants of the U.S. states of Georgia and Florida , but it is also used throughout the United States.-Etymology:One theory holds that the term comes from the...
.
The “Cracker Party” was a Democratic Party political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
that dominated city politics in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
for over half of the 20th century.
Notable Georgia Crackers
- Bill ArpBill ArpCharles Henry Smith was a Georgia politician who as a writer used the nom de plume Bill Arp for nearly 40 years...
, Georgia’s foremost 19th-century humorist - Roy Vincent Harris, “Cracker Party” boss
- Doyle LawsonDoyle LawsonDoyle Lawson is an American bluegrass and gospel musician. Doyle is best known as an accomplished mandolin player, vocalist, producer, and leader of the 5-man group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.-Biography:...
, Musician known for his mandolin piece "Georgia Cracker"
See also
- Atlanta Black CrackersAtlanta Black CrackersThe Atlanta Black Crackers were a professional Negro league baseball team which played during the early to mid 20th century.- Founding :The Crackers were founded in 1919...
, a Negro League professional baseballProfessional baseballBaseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
team (1919–1952) - Atlanta CrackersAtlanta CrackersThe Atlanta Crackers were minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1901 and 1965. The Crackers were Atlanta's home team until the Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee in 1966....
minor league teams (1901–1965) - Florida crackerFlorida crackerFlorida cracker refers to original colonial-era English and American pioneer settlers of what is now the U.S. state of Florida, and their descendants. The first Florida crackers arrived in 1763 when Spain traded Florida to Great Britain...
- Georgia (U.S. state)Georgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- cracker (pejorative)Cracker (pejorative)Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a pejorative term for white people. It is an ethnic slur that is especially used for the white inhabitants of the U.S. states of Georgia and Florida , but it is also used throughout the United States.-Etymology:One theory holds that the term comes from the...