nancy001  +  606249 Sat, 06 Dec 08 03:06 AM When you say "Tell the great American middle class.." What does "great" mean here? Does it mean "important" or "large in number" or others? Thank you for your help. nancy001 Joined on Fri, Nov 28 2008 New Member 17

	Clive  +  606342 Sat, 06 Dec 08 06:17 AM Hi, When you say "Tell the great American middle class.." What does "great" mean here? Does it mean "important" or "large in number" or others? Thank you for your help. On the surface, it seems to mean 'important'. But really, it sounds to me that the speaker is just being slightly ironic. Possibly an American here might wish to offer a slightly different interpretation. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,585 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	Delmobile  +  606665 Sat, 06 Dec 08 04:32 PM  Speaking as an American, I can't really tell from this snip exactly which meaning of "great" the speaker/writer intends, let alone whether irony is intended. The middle class -- those who work to produce and also earn enough to consume significantly --  is often said to be responsible for America's economic success. Furthermore, "middle class values" (hard work, personal responsibility, mainstream religious belief) are also supposed to contribute to America's strength as a nation.  It does seem as if the speaker/writer may be intending to slight the middle class, but I can't tell for sure. Delmobile Joined on Wed, Jan 2 2008 Contributing Member 1,082 Irony

	Philip  +  606671 Sat, 06 Dec 08 04:40 PM Basically, I agree with Del, including the possibility of the slighting. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,733 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen