"Willi" wrote

Where did "tar heel" come from. (I know I could Google it, but I figure
might as well ask one.)

afaik, there are two explanations, both anecdotal. the most popular
attributes various observations by any number of generals, up to and
including lee himself, that the north carolinians stood so steady under fire
that they must have tar on their heels. then, there is the tale from the
revolutionary war that british soldiers complained of picking up tar on
their feet every time they crossed the piney woods rivers in the eastern
part of the state.
both these legends have a common origin, which is the most likely
authentic source of the nickname: the early economy of the state depended
on the production of resin, turpentine, and tar from the plentiful pine
forests in the eastern part of the state. those who worked in such an
industry would constantly be covered from head to toe in the gooey
substances. these folks were usually poor country boys. during the civil
war, the patrician virginians would refer to north carolinians, derisively,
as "tar heels".

just another service provided by little wayno's trout shop and trivia
center. as you know, our motto is, "we never close".

yfitons
wayno