Its rude. Its insulting. Its playing a bigger role than you think in preventing the U.S. from creating a new generation of workers and truly beginning the process of rebuilding its manufacturing heritage.

Is blue-collar a negative term?

Many people believe that the term “blue-collar worker” now has a negative connotation. People associate blue-collar jobs with difficult, dirty work, and its discouraging people from applying. The use of “skilled trades worker” or “technical careerist” is being recommended instead.

Why do people say blue-collar?

The term blue collar was first used in reference to trades jobs in 1924, in an Alden, Iowa newspaper. The phrase stems from the image of manual workers wearing blue denim or chambray shirts as part of their uniforms. For the same reason, blue is a popular color for boilersuits which protect workers clothing.

Is the term blue-collar still used?

The term originated in the 1920s when blue-collar workers—such as those in mining and construction—wore darker color clothes (e.g. jeans, overalls, etc.) to hide dirt. Today, the term blue-collar has evolved, and its common to find workers in this role who are formally educated, skilled, and highly paid.