Final answer:
The original term "culture of poverty" refers to the way of life developed by individuals living in poverty, not the middle class.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original term "culture of poverty" does not refer to the way of life developed by the middle class to adapt to difficult circumstances experienced in life. Instead, it refers to the way of life developed by individuals living in poverty. The term was coined by sociologist Oscar Lewis in the 1960s, and it suggests that individuals living in poverty develop certain patterns of behavior, attitudes, and values as a result of their socioeconomic status.