phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Red-headed stepchild.

Posted by ESC on August 22, 2000

In Reply to: Red headed step child. posted by Edward Potter on August 22, 2000

: What does this mean?

A stepchild might be singled out for abuse. But a red-headed stepchild (who presumably looks like his or her absent birth-parent) might be abused even more because he or she is so obviously different from the other children.

The expression I have heard is, "I'm going to beat you like a red-headed stepchild."

Sad, isn't it?

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