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What is Kentucky?
One of the greatest states in the Union, ranking up there easily with Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, New York, Ohio, Minnesota, and California. The majority of Kentucky's people are very friendly, religious or with a strong sense of morals and values, and many are also quite diverse. For example there are plenty of Kentucky natives that are composed of two races.
The imbreeding stereotype is also a load of crap, as it only exists in very sparse, few areas deep in Appalachia.
In addition, Kentucky is not entirely as Southern as people claim it is. The Bluegrass State is actually quite different with Northern/Midwestern qualities and heritage that mix with the Southern heritage and characteristics. Not everyone has thick drawls either; many more people actually have Midwest nasal twang, while a few Northern "migrants" actually talk in strong brogues or other different accents.
Bluegrass and Country are not the only forms of music, as there is also Christian, Metal, and Rock bands, as well as a very few rappers even! Countrified "Southern" food is not the only thing to eat either. Almost every known restaurant in the Nation is located somewhere in Kentucky, and some immigrants have even brought their own ethnic cuisine with them and made a business out of it!
Kentucky was also a pivotal battleground border state during the Civil War. Also see Perryville. The state was roughly 75-78% Unionist, with some being anti-slavery, while there where no more than 22-25% supporting the South and the Confederacy. Kentucky was actually quite crucial in winning the Civil War, which depresses me to realize that so many people overlook it entirely and that classes only seem to teach about the Eastern Theatre.
Kentucky is an awesome state with a rich heritage and history, great people, strong family values and morals, and so much more.
Kentucky - meme gif
Kentucky - video
Kentucky - what is it?
I don't think that I really got my point across for the state of Kentucky as I did for Louisville I have to say, I have rarely, if ever, been more offended in all my life. Kentucky is the South, has always been the South, and, so help me God, will always be the South. As Southern as Georgia, as someone said! I’m offended as a Kentuckian, as an historian, and as someone who has spent his entire life studying the history and culture of the South. Red-faced angry offended! There shouldn’t even be an argument, though, God help me, I know that there is. When someone can prove to me that the Ohio River has been moved south of Kentucky, as well as the Mason-Dixon line, I might entertain the argument. Until then, I am inclined to believe that anyone who would call Kentucky “Midwestern,” which is offensive to every fiber of my being (did I mention that?), is misinformed and doesn’t know much of what they speak. Truly, you don’t know the South if you don’t find it in Kentucky, and I don’t really care where you claim to be from or know. You can’t pigeon-hole the South! It’s much more than anything you might be inclined to believe. People want to judge every state in the South by the Deep South, I’ve come to believe. Well, the South exists in two (maybe, three) parts: The Deep South and the Upper South (some might add Mid-South, as I note a few of you have). The accents aren’t all identical, but the culture is--or is very well close.
Now, about Louisville. I do see why you’d think it has a Midwestern under-culture, but it is a major city. The same argument, I assure you, can be made of New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston. Major cities have major immigration, and people from all over the country--and the world--make their homes there. Sad as it is, it has shown its effects on the cities, but I assure you, at Louisville’s core, is the South. It has even been said that during the darkest days of the war, Louisville had more “Johnny Rebs” and “Southern Belles” than the entire state of Mississippi. As an historian, I might be inclined to believe that. Having mentioned Southern Belles, you’d be well advised to note Sallie Ward was a Louisvillian. Her portrait is often named “The Southern Belle.” That is because she was THE Southern Belle in the ante-bellum days. More Scarlett O’Hara than Scarlett herself! Literally, she was considered THE belle of the South! None of that is even mentioning that, as someone else noted, Louisville is a river city, giving it all the more reason to intermingle cultures. Nonetheless, to the trained ear, one can hear the traces of Southern accents in downtown Louisville, and thick as molasses accents among some of the older residence. Step outside the city limits--you can no longer judge the South by its cities. Anyone who lives in a Southern city will note the changes over the years. They’ve become melting pots, good or bad! Oh, and what is Louisville’s nickname? You don’t know? Let me tell you, “Gateway to the South!” That’s a take on its old days as a river port, and its being a Southern city, noted for two great Southern pastimes, horseracing and bourbon!
The Ohio river is a true divider of North and South. Just imagine how it held in cultures before the days of advanced transportation!
I have no desire to get into specifics of “Civil War” loyalties, other than to say a few things, beginning with no state, country, or person, in my opinion, has been more egregiously misrepresented in history than has Kentucky. Kentucky was no more divided than was most of the South, and certainly no more divided than Tennessee and Virginia. History is recorded inaccurate folks. That’s one of the first things one learns as a historian. Part of “to the victor go the spoils” is writing the history, and there’s a very strong argument that Kentucky was a Confederate state, not only because it was considered the Confederacy by the Confederacy following a secession, but also because that secession was reported in Northern newspapers.
If Kentucky had all the soldiers they claim, every man, woman, and child--maybe even horses and cattle--would have had to enlist in one cause of another. Historically, the South’s influences were so strong in Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio than Lincoln feared he was going to have to fight them too. It was also a Kentuckian who defended Atlanta from Sherman!
I would also say that Kentucky’s accent and culture are identical--as is the climate--to Tennessee. That’s been stated time and again by people who are far more qualified than I. The accent is considered predominantly “Mountain South,” moving westward into “Plantation South,” and often a “Delta South” accent along the Mississippi. That goes for both states, though Rand McNally, I believe, published a book of maps aimed at Middle School aged kids, where the states were broken into regions (Kentucky and Tennessee were South), and they called Tennessee the Southern state most similar to the North. By the way, if I were from Tennessee, that would offend me too.
Lastly, I want to thank those of you who have defended Kentucky. I do appreciate your efforts, and, without question, I feel I can speak for the whole of the commonwealth. I agree with Indy, in that I am insulted! Geographically, cultureally, historically,. Kentucky IS Southern. This argument would have gotten you shot 100 years ago!
What does "Kentucky" mean?
Both Geographically and Culturally very Southern.
Grits, Greens,Boots, kentucky
Kentucky - what does it mean?
a relatively small state situated in the upper south, Kentucky is known for bourbon whiskey, horse racing, tobacco production, and college basketball. The vast majority of the state, other than northern Kentucky/Cincinnatti suburbs and parts of Louisville, shares cultural ties with Tennessee in cuisine, dialect, and many other aspects of culture.
Most of Kentucky's residents are friendly and hospitable, and many outsiders will find that Kentucky can be a very enjoyable place to visit. Along with its natural beauty, there are many other unique attractions for people to enjoy.
Kentucky: home to bluegrass, tobacco, bourbon, horses, and the most winningest college basketball program of all time.
Kentucky - meaning
The Real South/Dirty South is bigger than most realize.
The true borders of the Dirty South extend from Parts of Delaware and Maryland down through W.V. (if you've been in Charleston, not doubt you know). All of Kentucky (except around Cinci), Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois and the Southern half of Missouri. Most of Oklahoma and down through Texas. If you live anywhere South of there, fear not, you live in the Dirty South. If you've ever been to any of the above, it's absolutely indisputible that this is a fact.
Kentucky - definition
The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
Tis summer, the darkies are gay
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in bloom
While the birds make music all the day
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright
By 'n by hard times come a-knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home good night
Weep no more, my lady
Oh, weep no more, today
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far away.
They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight.
The time has come when the darkies have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the poor folks may go
A few more days and the trouble will end,
In the field where sugar-canes may grow.
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
THE BEST DAMN PLACE TO LIVE, right here in KENTUCKY
My Old Kentucky Home -Stephen Foster
Kentucky - slang
I tell you what, if your lookin' for a synonym for awesome, Kentucky's the word for you. This state's got it all. Did you ever hear of Ft. Knox? In Kentucky. How about the Alamo? Okay that's in Texas, but, there's a lot of killer stuff in Kentucky, anyway. I-64, I-65, I-75. Got the idea, there are a bunch of Interstate Highways in Kentucky. We like 'em so much that we built some of our own limited access highways. Education...did I mention the extensive network of highways? In Eastern Kentucky there's a buttload of coal and, let's just say, plenty of Kentucky's number one cash crop (weed). Western Kentucky has the Corvette factory and is part of the New Madrid Fault Zone. Louisville thinks they're better than everybody else and Northern Kentucky is basically a suburb of Cincinnati. Central Kentucky is a vast wasteland predominated by hyena and the occasional antelope. Kentucky offers a broad range of experiences to the person who is willing to set aside preconceived notions that this state is a backwater inhabited by inbred heathens.
Civil War General, "Coloniel" Harlan Sanders invented fried chicken.
Kentucky is landlocked, so if the shit goes down, we're in a great defensive position (and pretty well armed).
Most of the Ohio River lies within the borders of Kentucky. I swear to God.
Kentucky
A place where the word holler rightfully exists; a place of wonder; a place where children can dig their fingers in the dirt, use their imagination, and dream; a place where parents want more for their children and do everything possible for their wishes to come true; a place where most people in the united states like to underestimate and pretend that the only thing that exists there is 'inbreds'; a place that a teenage girl tries her whole life to leave and when she settles elsewhere, she can't wait to see the mountains again;a place that also uses the word hick, but in a slightly different way everyone else does; a slightly poor place; a place where,yes, horse racing exists and people are actually in touch with nature; home cooked meals are to die for!; a great place to think or write a book; AND its fun to use words without a 'g' in the end!
stereotypes should not even exist in this day and age
Kentucky
Chicken flavored lemon scented greatness
Kentucky is the greatest thing.
Kentucky
The only state where bourbon is made. If it's made somewhere else, it's just whiskey--not bourbon.
Kentucky whiskey is bourbon. Other whiskey is just whiskey.