"Redheaded Step Child"

Any one know where this phrase comes from? Used mostly as "I will beat you like a redheaded step child".

heh heh, "I'm gonna slap you around like a redheaded step child." I guess it just come from the prejeduce of Scottish people, they're really the only race with red hair...

Never been to Ireland then - lots and lots of read hair. Also what about the south sea island races with red hair. In any case the Scots are a lovely people who may eat too many chips and deep fried Mars Bars but they've got courage, style and a healthy disregard for authority.

"...may eat too many chips and deep fried Mars Bars but they've got courage, style and a healthy disregard for authority." Now I know who to credit/blame for my personality traits. My ancestors from Scotland.