What Is the Difference Between a Blue Collar Worker and a White Collar Worker?

A blue collar worker is one who works at a trade with his/her hands. The name comes from the blue workshirts that so many manual laborers wore/wear. The shirt was cheap, could get dirty, was easily washed, and lasted a long time.

A white collar worker is one who works in an office where he/she will not get dirty from manual labor. Earlier, white shirts had detachable collars that could be laundered separately, so you did not have to wash the shirt as often.

Blue collar workers do manual work; white collar workers do mental work.