[bankwalker]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc. I would appreciate it.

[ExpandNATO]

Official definition?!?!

Consider the usual definition of second world, the Communist bloc (Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact nations). Now according to the official definition, Cuba, Red China and North Korea should also be considered Second world, but in usual usage are considered Third World.

The usual definition is done by example. First World is the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The Second World was typically listed as Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact (Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, etc.). The Third World was everybody else, "developing" nations.

[Wolfie]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc.

First is generally kissing. Second is heavy petting, maybe with some...oh heck, you said world. Never mind.

[RayBob]

"Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc. I would appreciate it."

Though I think Wolfie's answer is really funny, I believe that it is not "First" "Second" and "Third" world, but applies to the developed countries in the West, the developed countries in the East and the undeveloped countries being the Third World.

[Fledermaus]

First, US and such
Second was Russia, etc.
Third was China, Africa and such

But now it's argued that there is a fourth world for the truely despot.

Russia dropped to third world status while Europe can be conceived as Second world. Many of the states in the U.S. have larger economies than most of Europe.

There is no single measure of this, it's based on many criteria. Economics being only one.

[bankwalker]

does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc.

Seems like there is no real official definition on this so far.