The correct spelling for the term "common knowledge" is /ˈkɑːmən ˈnɒlɪdʒ/. The term refers to information that is widely known or accepted by the general public. The spelling of "common" is straightforward, but the spelling of "knowledge" may seem a bit tricky due to the silent "k". The "k" is a remnant from the word's Old English origins, where it was spelled "cnawlæc" or "cnawlece". Today, we pronounce it as /nɒlɪdʒ/ without the "k".
Common knowledge refers to information or facts that are known widely, recognized or accepted by a majority of people within a particular community, society, or field of study. It often pertains to basic information, historical events, cultural references, or shared experiences that are generally understood and do not require extensive explanation or evidence to validate.
The term "common" implies that such knowledge is ordinary, widespread, and easily accessible to most individuals, rather than being specialized or confined to a specific group. It is typically acquired through education, everyday interactions, media, or observation of the world around us. In other words, common knowledge is the collective understanding and awareness that people naturally acquire as part of their general knowledge base.
Examples of common knowledge include well-known historical events like World War II, widely recognized symbols like the Olympic rings or various national flags, or simple mathematical operations such as addition and multiplication. These facts are considered common knowledge because they are widely taught in schools, depicted in popular culture, and are expected to be known by the general public.
While common knowledge is generally accepted to be true and known by most, it is not foolproof and can vary depending on different factors such as culture, education levels, and personal experiences. It is important to be cautious when assuming whether something falls under common knowledge or not, as not everyone may possess the same level of awareness or information on a particular topic.
The word "common knowledge" is made up of two elements: "common" and "knowledge".
The word "common" comes from the Latin "communis", which means "belonging to all" or "public". Over time, it evolved in English to refer to something shared by all or widely found or known.
The word "knowledge" derives from the Old English word "cnawan", which means "to know". It has Germanic roots and is related to the Old High German word "knabōn" and the Old Norse word "kenna", both meaning "to know".
When combined, "common knowledge" refers to information or understanding that is widely shared or known by many people.