Ginger - Celebration or Cure ?

[Lachlan09]

South Park apparently created a whole new (unwelcome) interest in people with ginger (or red) hair. There’s also a classic You Tube item, much remixed, of an American red-head complaining bitterly about school bullying because of his hair.

Is it mainly an American thing ? I don’t recall there being a problem in Scotland with it, kids at school with orange hair were often nicknamed “Ginger” but not as an insult, same way boys called Charles were called “Chick” and smaller lads sometimes called “Titch”. Obviously, Ireland is the same. Maybe it’s because there’s so many and they’re part of the historic background.

In London and Essex etc I personally recall some red hair animosity especially among the football fraternity, who sometimes referred vitriolically to supporters from Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle etc “ginger Northern b*****ds !”

I must admit I find that dark red auburn hair very nice (esp for women) but I have to be honest, curly orange hair does put me off a bit (esp on women) though I’d never say !

So what’s the story ? Is there a genuine dislike of ginger hair ?

[Duthill]

Yeah , it has reared it's ugly head over here in the last few years 'Ginga' baiting . Dunno why .

In the past it was no big thing , apart from as you say , the obvious nickname for the redhead concerned.
My eldest brother was called GB (ginger balls) by his mates during his teenage years.
I did some contract work for a farmer who was known to all and sundry as 'Brick' . I reckon he got off lightly there , his surname was 'Sherwood'