Blue-Collar

American Slang

Definition

Refers to working-class people or occupations involving manual labor and skilled trades, in contrast to office-based “white-collar” work.

Examples

"He grew up in a blue-collar family, where everyone pulled long shifts at the steel mill."

"After years in a white-collar cubicle, she switched to a blue-collar apprenticeship in plumbing and never looked back."

"The mayor promised to bring back blue-collar jobs to the old shipyard."