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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Is the use of "blue-collar worker" pejorative?

Right. I made mention of "blue-collar workers" in a discussion earlier today and got some rather pointed reactions. Apparently I caused offence. I have heard "blue-collar" used pejoratively, but I never imagined that its connotation would immediately be such. I find it to be a rather "neutral" designation (if that's even possible), as discussed elsewhere in this forum.

Thanks.

J-F

PS - I'm asking from Canada, the confusing nexus American and British English with some French thrown in here and there.
  

Top answer

I don't think of this as a perjorative - in fact, I heard it in conversation just the other day. I suppose you could say something like "hourly wage workers" or "manual labor jobs" but blue-collar seems plenty neutral enough to me. I look forward to reading other views.

— Delmobile

  • I don't think of this as a perjorative - in fact, I heard it in conversation just the other day.
  • I suppose you could say something like "hourly wage workers" or "manual labor jobs" but blue-collar seems plenty neutral enough to me.
  • I look forward to reading other views.
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3 Answers
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I don't think of this as a perjorative - in fact, I heard it in conversation just the other day. I suppose you could say something like "hourly wage workers" or "manual labor jobs" but blue-collar seems plenty neutral enough to me. I look forward to reading other views.
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A quick Google search brought up an article from last March in the Washington Times, where the term was used without any demeaning implication.
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Strange. Maybe it was what you said about blue-collar workers rather than that you used the term 'blue-collar' that caused the offense?

CJ
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