Definition of the word third class

The phrase "third class" originally referred to the lowest and most economical class of passengers in 19th century British steamship travel. This term was used to distinguish this class from the more luxurious first and second classes, which offered more amenities and accommodations. Third class, also known as steerage, was primarily filled by immigrants and working-class individuals who could not afford the higher fares of the upper classes. Conditions on board these ships were often cramped and unsanitary, with overcrowding and lack of hygiene leading to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhus. The word "third" in this context reflects the hierarchy imposed by the shipping companies, implying that third class was considered the third most important or desirable class after first and second. While the use of the term has declined since the rise of air travel and the decline of transatlantic passenger shipping, the negative connotations and historical associations of "third class" continue to be a subject of discussion and debate.