blue-collar

English

Etymology

From the color of rugged denim and chambray work shirts often worn by manual workers, as opposed to the white dress shirts typically worn by professionals and clerical workers.

Adjective

blue-collar (comparative more blue-collar, superlative most blue-collar)

1. Working class; engaged or trained in essentially manual labor.

   Blue-collar workers represent a diminishing segment of society.

   • 2013 February 14, Scott Tobias, “Film: Reviews: A Good Day To Die Hard”, The Onion AV Club:

     The blue-collar, vulnerable McClane of Die Hard wouldn’t even recognize the bulletproof, catchphrase-spouting superhero he’s become in the sequels.

2. Pertaining to the culture of blue-collar workers.

   Even as a tenured professor, she remained proud of her blue-collar values.

Translations

working class

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 藍領 (cmn), 蓝领 (cmn) (lánlǐng)

• Finnish: sinikaulus-, työväen, työläis-
• German: Arbeiterklasse (de) f

pertaining to the culture of blue-collar workers

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 藍領 (cmn), 蓝领 (cmn) (lánlǐng)

• Finnish: sinikaulus-, työväen, työläis-