Saying from USA I think.

[Mesmer]

Does anyone know the origin of the expression
"I couldn't hit a red haired step child"
used in the same context as
"I couldn't hit a Barn Door"?
It occurred today during the course of a game of Petanque and was used by a friend who thinks it is something he came accross on his travels in the USA.

[moppettshow]

I think this plays on the suggestion that step-children are more prone to abouse from their step-fathers than biological children would be; and a red-haired child would be even more of a target.

[dr john]

Robbie Williams described his flop 'Rudebox' as 'about as welcome as a red-haired stepson' at Leeds last month.

[2krzykdz]

I'm from USA and we've always used "red-headed step-child" like moppettshow said, but "I couldn't hit a barn door" is more like a person doesn't have good aim...a barn door is so big and they still couldn't hit it.

[Mesmer]

Thank you all for your replies. It does seem the consensus is that a red haired step child is a euphamism for bad luck or something unwelcome and my friend seems to have used the expression in the context of a lack of reward for his play, or lapse of skill, at the game of Petanque.

[BBWCHATT]

I am an old lady and live in the USA. This is the way I have always heard them used.

He/she treats me/her/him like a red headed/haired step child. Meaning cruelly or inconsiderately.

Here in the South we say:
He/she couldn't hit the barn door/the broad side of a barn door. Meaning they didn't have a very good aim or couldn't throw/pitch very well.

[Mesmer]

BBWCHATT thanks for your answer. It is nice that we can communicate accross the continents. It is great that as an old lady (and refreshing that you do not call yourself a senior citizen) that you find the time to share your knowledge on the AB. To me this is very important. To come to the topic in question I am grateful for your explanation of the distinction in the south of the USA between the two concepts of cruelty and lack of skill which I accept but what I can't understand is why should a step child should be singled out for abuse and in particular why one with red hair? It fits in with what Moppettshow said. But why should this be so? I am not a step child or red haired so I have no axe to grind just curious..

[BBWCHATT]

Mesmer you are right - it is great that we can communicate across the continents. I don�t think you can live to be 60 and not have accumulated a great deal of knowledge - some people appreciate you sharing it with them and some of them don�t - but I am always happy to help anytime I can. I have really enjoyed this website since I stumbled on it - except for the mean people on it of course - but I try to just ignore them - they are probably miserable people inside. Anytime you have any questions at all that you think I can help with you can email me - just in case I don�t see your question - my email address is [email protected]

Unlike you, I was a stepchild after the age of 12 - I didn�t find it particularly difficult - except for leaving the house I had lived in growing up with just my Mother and my Grandfather - my Mom and Dad divorced when I was 2. I am not really sure about the red haired thing - except sometimes if kids have really red hair other kids think they are an easy target for name calling/teasing, etc. (Example: I would rather be dead than red on the head.) AND I think the stepchild thing is because a lot of times a stepchild isn�t treated the same/as well as any biological children may be - they are sometimes second class citizens in their own homes. These sayings are older than I am - so this is just pure conjecture on my part.

Mesmer - I have really enjoyed participating in your discussion - and I hope I have helped a little. Who knew it was such a nice person asking the question!!! Hope to talk to you again very soon.