Johanna1

GoTravel, I have also heard people refer to the two states collectively as "the Carolinas."

It sure is interesting to see what everyone had to say on this issue. Scurry, did you every decide on the "proper" naming of the West Virginia and Kentucky coalmining area?

SamH

Scurry, for your project on the coal mining area of WV and KY I think Appalachia is appropriate. While WV lies below the Mason Dixon, those counties split from Virginia because of anti slavery sentiments preceeding the Civil War. I'm in Ohio and those hillbillies down there call me a damn yankee anyway. What do they know?

GoTravel

Johanna, I hear "Carolinas" used often when people refer to them both such as "I traveled through the Carolinas".

What I hate to hear is "Oh yes, I took a trip to Carolina one time".

Well, okay, that is a big area. Which state? Which location? People look at me when they say "Carolina" like I should know where they are speaking of.

Betsy

Fun reading for a native Virginian (Roanoke) now living in the SF Bay area. I think most Virginians consider themselves southern, or "southren" as some say.

richnindy

Thank you, Susi! I am from West Virginia, and have lived in Florida and Indianapolis, and I am constantly amazed at how many times I have to remind people that West Virginia is ACTUALLY A STATE! Even after I do, many still are convinced I am talking about Virginia.

Diana

The perfect reply for the dummies who say "what part of Virginia are you from?" when you've just told them you are from West Virginia is.....

"The part that became a state in 1863."

Of course, if someone was asleep during every geography and U.S. history class, and doesn't realize W.V. is one of our country's states, this little gem of info will most likely go zipping wildly over their heads anyway.

carolyn

Sort of like New Mexico?

SusiQ

When I lived in Florida I worked with a lady from Indiana. She must have slept through all of her geography classes because she was always asking how close I lived to Roanoke, Richmond and even Norfolk. Finally I got sick of hearing this garbage and the last time she said something stupid I just looked at her and said I know WV and VA are two separate states just the same as I know Indiana and Illinois are two separate states. Just how dumb are you anyway? Needless to say, she never became my best friend. lol After years of this stuff you get sick of it.

One more thing. Years ago, when I was but a little girl my great uncle told me that the word hillbilly was a good word. He said that the word billy meant friend in Scot I think, and to call someone a hillbilly would be calling them a hill friend.

The ignorance of people always surprises me.

Mountain Mama

SusiQ

Sorry, couldn't think of the language spoken in Scotland - it is Scottish Gaelic............had to look it up in the dictionary.

Mountain Mama

greenfieldhunter

What no pointed out.
Virginia is often referred to as "The Mother State" since sections of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennesee were all originally Virginia territory.(Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia all share a state bird)
Kentucky is the south - ask a native and West Virginia did not exist during the start of the Civil war. John Browns famous raid was on Harpers Ferry VIRGINIA- now West Virginia
Eastern Kentucky coal country is Appalachia as is West Virginia

lisatravels

I work at a University that has an Appalacian Studies program & both West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky fall into the area designated as the Appalacian region. A map of the region is available at http://cass.etsu.edu/encyclo/region.htm

Shane

West Virginia and Kentucky are culturally southern.

hugglynn

I'm not even sure the govt. knows the answer to this.

FAA considers WV a Northeastern State:
www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/nemap.jsp

and the Appalachian Region Commission considers WV & KY (among many others) to be in the AR
http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=27

So in answer to your question in describing the coal mining area, I would say the Appalachian Region.

However, let me say the WV state line and WVU is about 25 minutes from my doorstep here in SW PA and I considered my neighbors in WV to be northeastern like me

wsoxrebel

You might be in a southern state if:
1) you can buy and use a deviled egg plate
2) people shake their heads at the use of "you guys"
3) you think Jeff Foxworthy is really a pretty funny guy

You might be in a northern state if:
1) you can buy and use a snow blower
2) people shake their heads at the use of "y'all"
3) you think Garrison Keillor is really a pretty funny guy

SAnParis

Neither are part of the south (or the north for that matter) as they couldn't make up their mind during 'THE WAR'. You know, the WAR that the folks that originate from my adopted state of NC are still fighting to this day. Having lived in Kentucky, based on the accents, I would consider they & WV to be in the South. Appalachia is probably the most accurate though (in my humble, yankee opinion).

astein12

West Virginia is hard to categorize... the southern part of the state seems very 'southern' to me. The northern part (around Wheeling), is definitely Pittsburg/Ohio rust belt/coal belt. More northern industrial than southern.

Appalachia is probably the best descriptor.

Anonymous

Since the OP posted this thread in February 2004, they have probably turned in their paper by now.

Sunshinesue

Geography and culture are two different aspects of "southernness," as some have pointed out. For example Florida is as far south as one can get in the southern US. It was also a confederate state in "The War." (In fact Tallahassee was the only southern capital that didn't surrender to the North!) But, other than the very northern part of the state, Florida is not the least bit southern, in any sense of the word, other than geographically. I would think that anywhere in Kentucky or West Virginia would be much more southern than Miami!

BetsyinKY

I realize that this thread is over a year old, but since it has been resurrected and since I actually live in the area of Kentucky that is under discussion, I feel compelled to answer.

First of all, the eastern and south-eastern portions of the state are part of Appalachia. This has nothing to do with economics or mining, but is due to the fact that the Appalachian mountain chain runs through this part of the state. The Appalachians start in the northeast and run all the way down through east Tennessee and north Georgia. Citizens in this portion of the country are well aware that they are living in Appalachia. The term is common in business names in the area.

People who perpetuate the idea that the eastern side of the state is virtually cut off from the rest of the state are the same people who think that everyone who lives on this side of the state is an illiterate, barefoot hillbilly who makes moonshine for a living...or in a more modern version selling Oxys or meth for a living. This negative image of eastern KY absolutely drives me crazy because it is so untrue. This is one of the most beautiful spots in the country and I am quite proud of my "hillbilly" roots.

Secondly, although Louisville is very close to being a mid-western city, I think most Kentuckians consider themselves southern. If you have ever visited here, you will realize that throughout most of the state you run into southernisms. Waitresses inquire if you want that glass of ice tea "sweet", people say "y'all", not "you guys", and cooking equipment includes a good cast iron skillet and the recipe for Mama's fried chicken, cornbread, biscuits, etc.

Think of Keeneland races and the Kentucky Derby...mint juleps and those outrageous hats are definitely more southern than northern or midwestern.

Anyway, that's the opinion of a southern Appalachian Kentuckian, who is proud to be all three!

ronkala

If you eat grits, you're in the south.

If you use grits as putty, you're in the north.