Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

What's the meaning of "to live at / in (?) the bottom half of society", please?

Have a nice weekend,
Hela

[asterix]

I would say it refers to the income earned.
So the bottom half would be the poorer half.

I think you would say at the bottom of society, but in the bottom half.

[hela]

Thank you ast�rix. But what's the difference in meaning between the two, please?

[asterix]

If you assume that society is divided into two halves, based upon annual income, then the bottom half are those whose annual income is below the median.
If we say, at the bottom of society it means those who earn the very least.

There are other ways of dividing society - perhaps by social status;
In this case, those at the bottom of society might be those who are homeless, unemployed, drug addicts, or criminals, for example.
The bottom half would include these and anyone whom the writer considered to be below half way.

[hela]

Thank you asterix
Have a nice day.