# Origin of "red-headed stepchild" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 23, 2005, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498 "2005-06-23T05:48:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/1 "2005-06-23T05:48:40Z")
What is the origin of the phrase “red-headed stepchild,” used to mean something that doesn’t really belong, or that is despised or barely tolerated? I mean, what have people got (or what did they used to have got) against redheads? ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/2 "2005-06-23T06:12:42Z")
I believe it originated with the amazingly annoying little red-headed stepchild that was a late addition to the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes”. I usually hear it in the form, “I’ll beat you like a red-headed stepchild.” If you ever saw the show you would know why. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/3 "2005-06-23T06:21:28Z")
> [@flight](#): > > I believe it originated with the amazingly annoying little red-headed stepchild that was a late addition to the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes”. I usually hear it in the form, “I’ll beat you like a red-headed stepchild.” If you ever saw the show you would know why. [I am an idiot.](http://listserv.dom.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind9812&L=stumpers-l&O=D&F=&S=&P=5185) Looks like it has been around for a while, but no one is certain of its origins. Try asking Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/4 "2005-06-23T06:23:10Z")
> [@flight](#): > > I believe it originated with the amazingly annoying little red-headed stepchild that was a late addition to the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes”. I usually hear it in the form, “I’ll beat you like a red-headed stepchild.” If you ever saw the show you would know why. Beatin like a… ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/5 "2005-06-23T06:29:23Z")
I AM a redheaded stepchild…I haven’t been beaten, despised or forgotten! 😃 At least I’m not a rented mule. I would also like to know the origin of this hateful screed… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/6 "2005-06-23T07:10:03Z")
[wild guess] Is it linked to the old idea that Judas was a red-head ? I mean sure he betrayed Christ but he should be forgiven anyway because without him Jesus woiuldn’t have fulfilled his destiny etc. I’d never heard the phrase before but if it does mean what **Brainglutton** says then there’s the idea of loving out of duty rather than sentiment. [/wild guess] ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/7 "2005-06-23T10:48:25Z")
The phrase contains two elements; red-headed = a genetic trait that may indicate one of your parents were not within the family = illegitimate. Any other genetic trait could be used here, but red-heads are used due to their obviousness and scarcity. step-child = a child only related to you by marriage = commonly regarded in folklore as unloved Combine the two and you have an illegitimate child born during your spouse’s previous marriage. So obviously you’re going to treat them like dirt. I’m hoping it’s a humourous expression. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/8 "2005-06-23T10:53:52Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > Combine the two and you have an illegitimate child born during your spouse’s previous marriage. How could the child be illegitimate if your spouse was married? Just kidding, I get your point. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/9 "2005-06-23T11:04:46Z")
Well BrainGlutton, I _just_ read that phrase on another site. What a coinkidink 😉 😉 I however have nothing more to add since **Futile Gesture** sums it up pretty damn well. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/10 "2005-06-23T12:00:28Z")
There’s also an old stereotype of redheads being particularly temperamental. I’m sure part of it is the idea that this kid invokes the speaker’s wrath due to their redheadish temper, and since it’s a stepkid one is free to beat it at will - no genetic obligations towards it, you know? ---
**Author:** ![vera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b3f665/32.png) [@vera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vera)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/11 "2005-06-23T18:00:26Z")
What an awful saying. Well, I’m a redhead and every redhead I know (including myself) has a temper, but the step-child deal I’m not sure about. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/12 "2005-06-23T20:02:07Z")
Whenever I hear this phrase I think of the recurring comedy sketch on the old Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In show. (I think I just dated myself.) The sketch centered around the Farkle family, with the parents Fred and Fanny Farkle (Dan Rowan and JoAnne Worley). They had a huge family of children, all with flaming red hair (think of a red clown wig) and freckles. The kids had names like Mark and Sparkle Farkle, Flicker Farkle, and of course the twins, Simon and Gar Farkle. Then we meet “trusted neighbor Ferd Burfle” (Dick Martin) who has the same red hair and freckles, and the line, “Fine lookin’ family you got there, Fred.” ---
**Author:** ![MADAME](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MADAME](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MADAME)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/13 "2005-06-23T21:56:30Z")
I truly mean NO offence, but to honest, I have always been quite suspicious of red-heads in general. I don’t mean strawberry blondes…I mean fire red…I honestly do not know why, but they have always made me uneasy, and a bit afraid. I realize this is completely stupid, but there you have it. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/14 "2005-06-23T22:09:35Z")
Many earlier threads on the question: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=38903](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=38903) > **[Redheaded stepchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=10685)** > > I’ve noticed the phrase “redheaded stepchild” several times in the last few months, as in this quotation from “Entertainment Weekly”: Now, I know that I’m seeing the phrase recently because of selective perception; it’s been around a while. But... [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=1957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=1957) ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/15 "2005-06-23T22:10:52Z")
> [@MADAME](#): > > I truly mean NO offence, but to honest, I have always been quite suspicious of red-heads in general. I don’t mean strawberry blondes…I mean fire red…I honestly do not know why, but they have always made me uneasy, and a bit afraid. I realize this is completely stupid, but there you have it. Be afraid. Be _very_ afraid… ---
**Author:** ![MADAME](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MADAME](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MADAME)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/16 "2005-06-23T22:18:47Z")
It’s so silly, I know…It’s just that they strike me as “on the brink”. Like they blend in to society well enough, but all the while they are organizing and plotting…almost as though when no one is looking, they do something dastardly for no apparent reason, like stomp on a flower or kick a puppy. I fully realize this is all in my head…I think I have a red-head phobia…is there such a thing? ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/17 "2005-06-23T22:19:34Z")
> [@MADAME](#): > > I truly mean NO offence, but to honest, I have always been quite suspicious of red-heads in general. I don’t mean strawberry blondes…I mean fire red…I honestly do not know why, but they have always made me uneasy, and a bit afraid. I realize this is completely stupid, but there you have it. But why? We’re harmless! Just have a seat and lets talk about this… ---
**Author:** ![MADAME](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MADAME](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MADAME)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/18 "2005-06-23T22:23:50Z")
Oh my goodness…I am sure that you are harmless! I am certain it is me and not you…define harmless. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/19 "2005-06-23T22:32:56Z")
> [@MADAME](#): > > It’s so silly, I know…It’s just that they strike me as “on the brink”. Like they blend in to society well enough, but all the while they are organizing and plotting…almost as though when no one is looking, they do something dastardly for no apparent reason, like stomp on a flower or kick a puppy. Heh, heh, heh… ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-red-headed-stepchild/309498/20 "2005-06-24T01:32:10Z")
Since the OP has been somewhat answered, and since the posters who joined us late in the day today have nothing worthwhile of a factual nature to add to the thread, let’s just close this one before it spirals out of control. **Exapno** added some useful previous threads about this. **samclem** GQ moderator As always, if you have _factual_ new information to add, please email me and I’ll reopen the thread for you.