sandwich class
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.10 in modern English
24
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The middle class; specifically those who are too wealthy to qualify for welfare schemes but not rich enough to afford non-subsidized housing, access further opportunities or maintain lifestyle expectations.
Dated; Informal
Example Sentences
- "Although the conditions were generally poor, the rent was extremely low. In the 1970s, for example, the Home Ownership Scheme was introduced to help the middle-income group (sometimes called the "sandwich class")."
- "He proposed a new middle-class housing scheme to make it easier for the "sandwich class" to buy their own home."
- "Designed for the ‘sandwich class’ of Singaporeans, ECs are developed and sold by private developers, yet they are classified as public housing. They offer their first batch of buyers the chance to enjoy condo-style facilities like swimming pools at a subsidised price."
Etymology
Originated in the 1980s, from the perception of being "sandwiched" (or "squeezed") between the lower and upper classes; compare sandwich generation.