the phrase "red-headed stepchild"

ohwhattheheck

where did it come from?  Would anybody really treat their stepchild worse just because he/she had red hair?

things that make you go hmmmmm......

Momma.Brown

https://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_did_the_phrase_'beat_you_like_a_red-headed_stepchild'_come_from_and_what_does_it_mean

wearewinelovers

i would venture to say from Annie being a red headed orphan....not sure about the orphan/step child connection in that though. 

ohwhattheheck

Holy crap...I'm giving this explanation the side eye...

"I am reasonably certain that the phrase can be attributed to the American black experience. The singling out of a stepchild for shoddy treatment crosses all ethnic barriers, but the red-headed part must assuredly be attributed to the mixed-race offspring, who often have red hair, of a black mother and a departed biological white father. Hence the shame and anger of the child's black stepfather, whose betrayal is on display for all the community to witness. "

How could you be "reasonably certain" of that?

userdeleted

If I had to guess I would think that "the red headed step child" would be like "the odd one out" because red hair is more unusual/step-children supposedly wouldn't be as "loved" or "desired" (not saying that's true, obviously, this is just speculation as to how the phrase came about). That is a total guess though.

ohwhattheheck

I figured that's what it meant...I wasn't really asking this to be serious.  I just heard someone use that phrase on the radio and it's just a phrase that's always bothered me. 

I just wanted to see some other takes on it.  (and put the song "things that make you go hmmmmm" in everyone's heads.

brandonsfuturewife07

i think the stepdaughters in cinderella were always portrayed wiht red hair.

sidenote:  i always wished i had red hair.  i think it's beautiful.

Momma.Brown

ohwhattheheck:

Holy crap...I'm giving this explanation the side eye...

"I am reasonably certain that the phrase can be attributed to the American black experience. The singling out of a stepchild for shoddy treatment crosses all ethnic barriers, but the red-headed part must assuredly be attributed to the mixed-race offspring, who often have red hair, of a black mother and a departed biological white father. Hence the shame and anger of the child's black stepfather, whose betrayal is on display for all the community to witness. "

How could you be "reasonably certain" of that?

i didnt write it! i just googled it! LOL?

happilyhis

ohwhattheheck:

Holy crap...I'm giving this explanation the side eye...

"I am reasonably certain that the phrase can be attributed to the American black experience. The singling out of a stepchild for shoddy treatment crosses all ethnic barriers, but the red-headed part must assuredly be attributed to the mixed-race offspring, who often have red hair, of a black mother and a departed biological white father. Hence the shame and anger of the child's black stepfather, whose betrayal is on display for all the community to witness. "

How could you be "reasonably certain" of that?

LMBO, of course my experience is not scientific, but of the many mixed race people I know, including ones in my family, exactly zero are red-headed. Where do people come up with these things?

LeggyNic

I've always understood it as the one kid that looks different from the rest, stood out in the family pictures.  In our family we joke lovingly about the "blond-headed stepchild" as my step-brother is blond and the rest of us (including his mom) is brunette.  My grandma also calls him "the short kid" since he's now 24 and will be the shortest.  Even my 13yo sister is gaining on him.