"Head of household", traditionally male - wifey stayed at home; fewer households can avail themselves of the one paycheck nowadays. The post-WWII prosperity, helped by the pre-war rise of labor unions, made it possible for unionized blue collar workers to move from tenement-dweller to homeowner, or from Ralph Kramden to Archie Bunker. That rising tide lifted many non-unionized boats as well, something to think about in this age of a demonized Left and sweatshop addiction.

Bread"win`ner (?), n.

The member of a family whose labor supplies the food of the family; one who works for his living.

H. Spencer.

 

© Webster 1913.

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