Contrary to popular opinion, the origins of the word hillbilly were more friendlier than one would expect of it now....
HILLBILLY: The word originated (from references) Scots-Irish / Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland / Ulster who moved into the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s. Billy/Billies was a term meaning "brother, friend or comrade. "Billy Boys" was the term used referring to Ulster Protestants who supported "William of Orange" (aka Billy) in invading England. They were also known to wear red sashes around their necks (coining the term Rednecks) and once the Scots-Irish migrated in droves to the US, they quickly moved into the mountains and hills of Appalachia. The "Billys", now were now comrades of the hills/mountains, and therefore became known as Hillbillies....
HILLBILLY: The word originated (from references) Scots-Irish / Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland / Ulster who moved into the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s. Billy/Billies was a term meaning "brother, friend or comrade. "Billy Boys" was the term used referring to Ulster Protestants who supported "William of Orange" (aka Billy) in invading England. They were also known to wear red sashes around their necks (coining the term Rednecks) and once the Scots-Irish migrated in droves to the US, they quickly moved into the mountains and hills of Appalachia. The "Billys", now were now comrades of the hills/mountains, and therefore became known as Hillbillies....
