Definition of working class

The term "working class" emerged during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a distinct social class that comprised individuals who earned their living through manual labor and factory work. Prior to this time, the term "common people" or "lower classes" was used to describe people who weren't part of the nobility or the clergy. However, the growth of industry and the rise of the factory system brought about a new kind of workforce, composed of men, women, and children who worked long hours in factories for low wages. These workers, who lacked the means to buy land or invest in profitable ventures, formed a new social class that was distinct from the traditional landed gentry and the rising middle class. The term "working class" thus came to symbolize this new class of people and their shared experiences and interests. It conveyed both their economic and social position, highlighting the fact that they sold their labor power for a living and, as a result, had few privileges beyond their wages. The classification also emphasized that this group of people had common grievances, which included unsafe working conditions, exploitation, and mistreatment by employers, and therefore needed to band together to fight for their rights and improve their conditions. Overall, the origin of the word "working class" highlights the importance of social stratification and inequality during the Industrial Revolution, as well as the emergence of a distinct class of people who grew out of the changing economic circumstances of the time.