The phrase "commonly known" is pronounced as /ˈkɒmənli nəʊn/. The first syllable "com" is spelled with an "o" followed by an "m" and pronounced with a short "o" sound. The second syllable "mon" is pronounced with a short "o" sound followed by an "n". The final syllable "ly known" is pronounced with a short "o" sound followed by a long "o" sound and then "n". This phrase is spelled using standard English spelling conventions and is commonly used in written and spoken communication.
Commonly known is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that is widely recognized, acknowledged, or generally familiar to a large portion of people within a specific group, community, or society. It refers to information, facts, or concepts that are generally accepted or easily understood by a vast majority of individuals, rendering them not obscure or obscurely familiar, but rather widespread and known by many.
The term commonly known implies that the information or concept being referred to is not limited to a specialized or narrow field of knowledge, but rather is easily accessible and known to the general public, regardless of their level of expertise or educational background. It suggests that the subject matter has become so widely disseminated or discussed that it has reached a level of common knowledge, becoming part of the shared cultural or societal consciousness.
In everyday conversations, commonly known is often used to distinguish information that is widely known from more obscure or lesser-known facts. It can also be employed to emphasize the lack of novelty or surprise in a particular statement, indicating that the information being communicated is not groundbreaking but rather familiar or commonly understood. Overall, the term commonly known serves as an indicator of widespread familiarity, suggesting a shared understanding or awareness of a given subject within a particular context.
The word "commonly known" is not a single word with a distinct etymology, but rather a phrase made up of two separate words: "common" and "known".
The word "common" originated from the Latin word "communis", meaning "shared by all" or "general". It entered the English language through Old French and Middle English, bearing similar connotations related to being shared or belonging to all.
The word "known" is derived from the Old English word "cynn", which means "to know" or "to recognize". It eventually evolved into the Middle English word "knowen", which means "to be familiar with" or "to recognize". From there, it took on the modern English form "known".
Thus, when combined, "commonly known" refers to something that is widely recognized or familiar to most people.