Antedating of "Middle Class"

[Fred Shapiro]

middle class (OED3 1756)

1745 Bradshaw, James. A scheme to prevent the running of Irish wools to
France, and Irish woollen goods to foreign countries 4 (Making of the
Modern Economy)  The lower and middle Class of their People appear'd at
that time, well dress'd in Ratteens and Frizes; the better, or richer
Class, wore Cloths of Ten Shillings _per_ Yard.

Fred Shapiro


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Fred R. Shapiro                             Editor
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