Eli5: why do people use the term Middle class instead of Working class?

Question

Isn’t middle simply confusing?

Are we not working folks and wealthy-ruling folks that generate wealth via assets?

Edit: thank you all who’ve helped me gain a better understand of the concept from many different angles

In: 0

Answer 1

“Working class” has the connotation of manual labor, trades (plumbing, carpentry, etc.), or other blue-collar work.

“Middle class” has the connotation of white-collar work: office work or managerial positions that don’t involve manual labor and require a college degree.

The between middle class and upper class is also a bit fuzzy. You’ll see people being described as “middle-upper class” or “working rich” (contrasted with the “idle rich”), where they’re still very wealthy but don’t have any generational wealth and still work full-time.