U. S. colloq. [f. TAR sb. + HEEL sb.] A nickname for a native or inhabitant of North Carolina, in allusion to tar as a principal product of that State. Also attrib.
1888. American Humorist, 2 June (Farmer, Americanisms). A little volume of North Carolina sketches, written by a talented young friend of mine, in the genuine tarheel dialect.
1889. Jrnl. Amer. Folk-Lore, II. 95. The mountain ‘tarheel’ gradually drifted into a condition of dreary indifference to all things sublunary but hog and hominy.
