Johnny Reb

[ reb ]

noun

, Informal.

1. U.S. History. a Confederate soldier.
2. a native or inhabitant of the southern U.S., especially of one of the former Confederate states; southerner.

Johnny Reb

noun

1. informal.
   (in the American Civil War) a Confederate soldier

Word History and Origins

Origin of Johnny Reb¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Word History and Origins

Origin of Johnny Reb¹

C19: from rebel (n)

Example Sentences

So Johnny Reb sits, in 13 pieces, in Boykin’s yard, 150 feet off the road, waiting for somebody to put him back together again.

From Washington Post

So when a petition with 100 signatures went to the board last summer demanding the removal of the Johnny Reb statue in front of the courthouse on Main Street, the supervisors were open to changing how Greensville County tells its history.

From Washington Post

How does Perry go North with the shopworn baggage of Johnny Reb superiority and an unapologetic evangelical paternalism?

From The Daily Beast

"Johnny Reb" would think; and not infrequently, he would talk.

From Project Gutenberg

That day, too, Gram had "mug-bread," and for supper pones made into Johnny-reb toast.

From Project Gutenberg

This is old Rube, nigh onto ten, mighty strong, but as balky as a Johnny Reb hisself.

From Project Gutenberg

Our boys would cry out, "Halloo, Johnny Reb., did you get enough of the valley?"

From Project Gutenberg

Johnny Reb's silk coat shone now with sweat, but his pace was sedate.

From Project Gutenberg