The term “cracker” is often taken as a racial slur along the lines of the “N” word. Let’s just call them ignorant dumbasses.
Not in Florida, FRiend. I’ve been here for 30 years, and crackers are part of the culture. Crackers were the cowboys of Florida back in the day. It’s been associated as a racially insensitive term, but it’s really just another word that’s been bastardized as of late.
I prefer ‘palmetto people’
Actually, cracker, is an old Florida term for people who drive cattle. For an explanation of the culture, read Strawberry Girl.
As a native Cracker I would point out that the term is not the least bit offensive to those of us Crackers. It’s one of those words that have been hijacked and its use is meant by some to be offensive. I simply refuse to let them have the word or the satisfaction of denying me the right to be one and to use the word!
As another poster points out the term came from the Florida cowboys who would use bull whips to drive the cattle and you could hear the cracking of the whips for miles. I have a great uncle who spent his entire working life making those whips from buckskin. It was quite an art, much like being a good cigar maker. He obituary said he had spent his life “putting the crack in Cracker!”
But you are certainly correct in your observation that the term is often meant to be offensive, the equivalent of the “N” word but for whites. Redneck is another of those words that have been hijacked.