Middle class...

[anna]

Following on from a few topics off here lately it got me wondering. When did the term "middle class" become an insult?

It’s a shame that we still have a class system at all, but the majority of it appears to actually be perpetuated by a past class system which seems to be less apparent in 2012 (feel free to correct me), or perhaps to be more precise no longer exists in the same form.

I understand that if we are talking about a structure based on monetary income a class system of lower, middle and upper class does exist. However, when did it become derogatory to be middle class, which is undoubtedly where the majority of the population fit into?

Are we still terming middle class as the "white-collar" worker? Or is it not a little more expansive than the term has previously been applied to?

It appears to me that the difference between working class and middle class has become less, whilst the gap between the two has increased. Whether this just perception or a true reality of our times I don’t know.

I look up to middle class

Originally Posted by bluefishman

I look up to middle class

I know my place.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hhrwl

I don't see how "middle class" is an insult unless all the people that were middle class now class themselves as upper middle class or snobs as others would class them.

Originally Posted by bluefishman

I look up to middle class

Ha ha, that's funny BFM!:

When used as an insult. It's irrelevant and not needed anyway when discussing an issue, and I don't get what difference it makes anyway.

I objected in the original thread as to paint NCT classes as crap because they're full of middle class people,who know nothing anyway is exclusionary and also inaccurate.

I pronounce it middle "Class" as opposed to middle "Clarrrrse" so I'm out. I aspire to be middle clarrse one day, it's merely a money thing imo. I wouldn't use it as an insult though to be honest, more as a tool to take the mickey out of my southern friends

I think the point DB was trying to make in another thread was there are those folk who like to "think" they belong in a higher class, even if they don't have the money to back it up. The habit of "acting" middle class when you're no better than the rest of us can get a tad irritating at times

But hey, if you've earned it and live it then good for you

I don't get how it even exists any more- I remember my teacher trying to break it down for me at school into middle class professions, but there are so many professions now where the lines are blurred, plumbers making twice the money of teachers, for example that it's totally outdated. If its based on money.

Very true. And now that such a vast number of people are self employed with some ending up with fingers in lots of pies, folk having several jobs at once and so on, it's hard to differentiate between well off folk and not.

So. If you have a house with more than 3 bedrooms and 2 cars...you're middle class. End of. That's nice and simple

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Very true. And now that such a vast number of people are self employed with some ending up with fingers in lots of pies, folk having several jobs at once and so on, it's hard to differentiate between well off folk and not.

So. If you have a house with more than 3 bedrooms and 2 cars...you're middle class. End of. That's nice and simple

Need another bedroom, need another bedroom, mebe I can split one in two. Do ex council houses count Maria? Ps I drive an owwdii and ride a Triumph, must be middle clarrrse :0)

I've got a traditional 3 bed semi in a decent area, a van, car, two bikes and two cats, do I qualify ?