Redhead or Ginger?
Am I a redhead, or a ginger? This is one question I find myself pondering these days.
Personally, I feel that both terms are interchangeable, and had originally thought ginger to be a typically-British turn of phrase to describe my splash of red hair, pale skin, and freckly freckly body.
I’ve found that the reality, however, is quite different.
Everyone has a different name for us. In Spain, gingers are referred to as a ‘Pelirrojos’, a wonderfully lyrical and pleasing sound, while the Portuguese talk about ‘ruivas’. And lucky for us, in Holland you can call yourself a ‘Rood Boy’ or ‘Rood Girl’. How cool is that?
Travel further afield to Australia, and you could be ‘Rusty’, ‘Bluey’ or, possibly my favourite, ‘Ranga’. Yup, this ginger boy loves orangutans and finds the notion of being compared to one positive; but hey, maybe I’m the only one?
But what of the Ginger vs Redhead debate?
Let’s look at redheads first, as for some reason this term is a positive version of ginger. My hair isn’t anything like red, yet I accept I am a redhead. Red is the colour of danger, a can of coke, or of tomato ketchup. So strictly speaking, should we really be called redheads when our hair is kind of orange, or one of many shades including auburn, copper, or strawberry blonde? (delete as applicable)
For some, the term ‘ginger’ emits a negative vibe. Why is there such a stigma attached to this one little word? I believe that is only because it’s often used as an insult, a ginger joke or with a negative intention. But more than anything, it’s an observation, right? “Errr, well done, you’ve used your eyes. Congrats.”
And over the past 6 months, I’ve grown pleasantly surprised by how amazing you all are. More and more often, many ginger/red-haired people are proud to call themselves ‘ginger’.
So today, I’m here to tell you that ‘ginger’ is not a negative word. I mean it. Why is there so much seriousness surrounding it? Why can’t we just have fun?
And I’m sure this article won’t salvage any friendships between people who refer to themselves as a ‘ginger’ or ‘redhead’ (I know I do), and those who don’t like being call ‘ginger’ under any circumstances. But maybe we’re one step closer.
Vive la ginge!
By Barry
Last updated on April 19, 2023