The term “third-world country” was first used in the 1950s as a way to group countries. The capitalist, economically developed countries like the US were classified as “first world”. The communist states led by the Soviet Union were in the “second world” country group. The remaining countries were included in the “third world” category.
Let’s read the article and know more why this term has become outdated and insulting.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the idiom “strike (someone) as” mean? “When she heard the label growing up, she says it struck her as making “this assumption about people outside of the ‘First World’ — that they lived really different lives, the assumption they were poor, they should be happy to eat every day.” Use it in your own sentence.
- What is the meaning of “pop into one’s mind/head“? “Yet as Wednesday’s events made clear, “Third World” is often the first term that pops into Westerners’ minds when they try to characterize less well-off, troubled countries.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- What does “blurred lines” mean? “The “Third World” has always had blurred lines.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you agree that the term “third world” is old-fashioned and insulting? Why or why not?
- How would you define a third world country?
- What other outdated terms do you know and try to avoid?
- Do you know anyone who uses a lot of old-fashioned language? If so, what are they?