Trailer Trash - term origin?

Posted by Word Camel on September 03, 2002

I have been looking, without much luck, for the origin of the term "trailer trash". I am guessing it is relatively new and may even be linked with the development of the "manufactured home" market in the 80's and 90's. It's not listed in the 1981 edition of the American Heritage Dictionary.

It seems to be a catchier equivalent to "white trash", the derogatory term used to describe poor whites in the American south. So far the Internet has yielded nothing.

• Trailer Trash - term origin? ESC 09/03/02
  • Trailer Trash - term origin? Bob 09/03/02
    • Trailer Trash - term origin? ESC 09/03/02
      • Trailer Trash - term origin? Word Camel 09/03/02
      • Trailer Trash - term origin? Woodchuck 09/03/02
        • Trailer Trash - term origin? Bruce Kahl 09/03/02
          • Trailer Trash - term origin? ESC 09/03/02
            • Trailer Trash - term origin? loi 09/04/02