WTH is a REDBONE?
 

Someone's username is Redbone Zeta on another greek forum. I heard of the word redbone some where else too. I would ask on that forum, but I don't want to get clowned, cuz peeps on that forum can get sheisty at times (except for starang :cool: )

light skin

But not as light as "yellow".

Lol
 

Now , yeah they might have clowned you for that.....you safe here with your peeps...Don't tell no body you did'nt know what that meant....you black right? (cracking up):D

Just kidding

Hmmmm...between "high-yellow" and "brownskinned"?

Someone PMed me a different definition. I guess this word has more than one meaning, like "hoosier" (not the poster, lol).

yea thats the definition I am familiar w/
someone who is very light skinned

Old Folks would call Faith Evans, maybe Halle Berry and I'm thinking Beyonce a red bone.

Alicia Keys would be "high yella". I originally came from NY, but was raised primarily in the South. I got so sick of those terms - esp. when used as an insult.

Do you mean Faith Evans? ;)

Yeah I was confused on the Faith Hill example too...

Oh lord... LOL! Yeah - Faith Evans. I guess Faith Hill would be - um - really high yella. Let me go edit.

I've had people call me a redbone, but I am not light-skinned. I have sandy colored hair (with a natural reddish tint, no help from Soft & Beautiful) and light brown eyes, and medium-complexioned.

It may depend on where you're from as to whom the term is referred.

Must be a regional thang - lol
 

I have been called red-boned, too, but I am not light-skinned. Light-skinned folx were referred to as yellow or high-yellow.

I too have been called red-bone but I am far from it. Hell when I tan I get dark.

I think those terms are so effin stupid :rolleyes:

Me also. And I get dark if I get too much sun riding in a car.

Well, my father, before he got dark (he was a CPO in the Navy and later a letter carrier in sunny Kollyfornia), was referred to as a "Tennessee red (expletive)."
I've been called high yellow. I shrug it off.

That was the best laugh of the day! Thanks, I needed it.

OT, I would have to say that the definitions are regional. I took a linguistics class and was surprised to learn that these terms were also used in the Carribean. After I thought about it, it sort of made sense when speaking of racial mixtures. I didn't, however, think that the words were appropriate because as someone mentioned earlier, it was usually meant to be an insult.

I will never forget this... My law school professor asked me after class...
"Are you from Louisiana?" I said no... Then he said, "Because you look like a yellowbone. I see them all over the floats in Louisiana during Mardi Gras. They are the most beautiful women!"

I was like WTH!!!!
I didn't know what to say... here was this White Professor asking me about "yellowbones."
I know what they are... but for a white person to say it...
Just floored me.... I was not ready...

I HATE color distinctions within the black community...Where is the line anyway? Are people doing visual paperbag tests or what?

1. I think that your professor was rude and unprofessional.
2. The Mardi Gras comment is interesting and I have to wonder exactly where in Louisiana he/she visited. Many parishes and cities have ordinances where float riders are required to wear masks. Generally, the only exceptions are Grand Marshals and members of the court.

Out of Order like a Soda Machine!!!
 

Your Professor was trying to get one in. LOL!!! He was setting you up for a "call".

Wow I haven't heard the term redbone in a minute