Question

How did middle class people generally differ from the lower claass?

Answer 1

“Middle class” in popular usage in the US is a euphemism (polite word) for “not rich and not poor.” When speaking with a co-worker whose family income placed her in the top 2–3% of Americans, and whose house was worth 30 times the average American’s salary, I classified her as rich. She objected strenuously, claiming instead to be middle class!

“Working class” is used to denote those who work with their hands, or who work in lower-paid jobs that may not require higher education. A synonym for “working class” is “blue collar.” Working class people are stereotyped as having less refined tastes and preferences.

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