Certain “poor whites” in the South use a sort of semi-edible clay. The word is employed as a term of reproach and scorn.
1841. He was a little, dried up, withered atomy—a jaundiced “sand-lapper,” or “clay-eater,” from the Wassamasaw country, whose insignificant size and mean appearance did very inadequate justice to his resolute, fierce, and implacable character.—W. G. Simms, ‘The Kinsmen,’ i. 167 (Phila.).
a. 1860. See Bartlett.
1901. The terms “sand-hiller,” “clay-eater,” or “poor white trash,” conveyed a terrible reproach, for even the negroes looked down upon them.—W. Pittenger, ‘The Great Locomotive Chase,’ p. 74 (Phila.).
