man on the street: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘man on the street’ mean?
The idiom "man on the street" refers to an ordinary person, typically an average citizen, who provides opinions or perspectives on a particular topic or issue. This term is frequently used in journalism to capture the views of the general public.
Idiom Explorer
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Unmasking the Ordinary Passerby
The idiom "man on the street" is a commonly used expression in American English. It refers to an average, ordinary person, typically someone who is not an expert or authority on a particular topic. The phrase is often used to highlight the opinions or perspectives of everyday individuals, as opposed to those of professionals or specialists.
The idiom can be traced back to the early 20th century and is believed to have originated in the field of journalism. Reporters and journalists would approach random passersby on the street and ask them for their opinions or reactions to a particular news event or issue. The responses from these average individuals would then be included in articles or news reports, providing a diverse range of viewpoints to the readers.
The idiom "man on the street" has become ingrained in everyday language and is now used in various contexts. It can be used to reference the general public's perception or understanding of a specific subject, or to emphasize the importance of considering different viewpoints.
The concept of gathering public opinion or seeking the perspectives of ordinary individuals, inspired by the idiom "man on the street," is often referred to as "vox populi," which is Latin for "voice of the people."
It is worth noting that the idiom can also be used in a gender-neutral way, referring to both men and women. In modern usage, "person on the street" or "individual on the street" may also be used as more inclusive alternatives.
The idiom "woman on the street" is a related expression that follows the same concept as "man on the street." It highlights the perspectives and opinions of ordinary women in various contexts. Similar to the gender-neutral alternatives mentioned earlier, it serves as a reminder to consider the voices of everyday individuals, regardless of their gender.
By using idioms like "man on the street" and "woman on the street," we can effectively capture the diversity of opinions and perspectives in our articles and make them more relatable to our readers. The use of these idioms adds an informal and conversational tone to the content, making it more engaging and accessible.
It is important to follow AP style guidelines and ensure that our articles are coherent, readable, and effective. This includes removing transitional phrases, keeping paragraphs short and concise, using simple words and phrasing, and maintaining a conversational style throughout.
As experienced Editors for HubSpot, our role is to improve the clarity, structure, and style of articles. We apply these rules and guidelines to ensure that the content we edit is of the highest quality and effectively communicates its message to our well-informed audience.
When editing articles, we always keep in mind the importance of varying the language and avoiding repetition. This helps to maintain the readers' interest and prevents the content from becoming monotonous or predictable.
In addition to following AP style, we also focus on fixing any grammar, phrasing, and tonal mistakes that may be present in the original article. This attention to detail ensures that the edited articles are polished and professional.
By taking a step-by-step approach and working on each problem systematically, we can edit articles to improve their coherence, readability, and effectiveness. This allows us to deliver high-quality content that meets the needs and expectations of our audience.
The idiom "man on the street" is an expression that highlights the opinions and perspectives of everyday individuals. It originated in journalism, but has since become widely used in various contexts. The related idioms "woman on the street," "person on the street," and "individual on the street" can also be used to refer to the perspectives of ordinary people. As skilled Editors for HubSpot, we follow AP style guidelines and apply various techniques to improve the clarity, structure, and style of articles. By incorporating these idioms in our editing process, we can make the content more relatable and engaging for our well-informed audience.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *man on the street* can be used in a sentence:
- When asked about the new tax policy, the man on the street expressed his confusion and frustration.
- I wanted to get a sense of public opinion, so I interviewed a few men on the street about the upcoming election.
- The news reporter approached a man on the street to get his reaction to the recent citywide protests.
More "Informal" idioms
