There’s been a lot of Internet chatting today about an ad for a West Virginia Republican. The consultant who shot the ad asked for character actors who could pass themselves off as “Hicky” Blue Collar people. On the list of suggested apparel: John Deer hats (not brand new, preferably beat up).
Yes, (West) Virginia, there is a John Deere — with an E at the end. It’s the Moline, Illinois-based company with an iconic trademark. (Moline would be part of the Quad Cities, a cluster of cities located on the Iowa/Illinois border.) Perhaps Ashton Kutcher and Justin Timberlake would be interested to know they look like “hicky” trucker/coal miners when they’re wearing a John Deere cap.
According to this UK website, John Deere hats are “favoured by those who appreciate a trucker hat with a genuine heritage and pedigree.” Yes, (West) Virginia, they spell favored differently across the pond.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
What’s worse is they meant “caps”, not “hats”. Who wears a John Deer(e) cowboy hat? Or top hat? Or derby hat?