And in England, though there might be a distinction, perhaps, considering whether he got his qualifications via REME or the Signals, or an apprenticeship or via a University degree, of course.

But it never occurred to me that "blue collar" in the mouth of an American didn't mean 'working class"; surely it's synonymous? I've principally heard it referred to in connection with Springsteen, and Springsteen has always struck me as the great working-class rock star, especially compared to Lennon and Mercury and Townsend (all of whom are fantastic musicians). But Springsteen was one of us