I was given the idea that, in the past, having some extra pounds on a person denoted that the person had enough wealth to eat well. It seems the opposite today. Wealth brings leaner meats and less starches in a diet.

Also in the past a person who was "tan" meant that they worked in the fields and ladies of leisure could stay inside and keep a fair complexion (with the help of Gowland's lotion). Now a tan person has the leisure time to sunbathe and play tennis. Go figure!