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 > Middle class > Upper class. At least in a traditional western model. Middle class used to mean people who were in charge of some people, whilst continuing to be ruled over by the upper class.