Short for rebels; informally, it often refers to Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War.
Shortened form of 'rebels,' from Old French 'rebelle,' from Latin 'rebellis' (taking up arms again). The Civil War context became so dominant that 'rebs' became historically associated with the South.
A single slang shortening 'rebs' carries the entire weight of American Civil War history—even today, it conjures specific people, places, and a pivotal moment in national identity.
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