Coal Cracker

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on August 27, 2003

My wife is a Coal Cracker, meaning that she comes from the anthracite coal mining region of Central Pennsylvania. I come from New Jersey, which isn't geographically very far away, but I'd never heard the term before I met her.

I was just wondering if the term is used in other coal mining regions of the country, such as Western PA, Kentucky, West Virginia, or even another country? I'd be interested to know if it's a local expression, or which region it may have originated in. I have a feeling the term must go back to the heyday of coal mining, prior to the 1920's. Thanks...