The idiom "man the street" is spelled with the letter "a" in the word "man". The phonetic transcription is /mæn ðə striːt/. The "a" is pronounced with the short "a" sound, indicated by the symbol /æ/. This is different from the long "a" sound, which is usually spelled with the letter "e" or "ai". The rest of the word is spelled phonetically, with the stress on the second syllable. The phrase means an average or ordinary person on the street.
Man on the street refers to a methodology employed in journalism and market research, which involves approaching random members of the public to gather their opinions or viewpoints on a particular topic or issue. It is a technique used to gauge public sentiment or obtain a representative sample of subjective opinions. The term "man" is used in a generic sense to refer to any individual, regardless of gender, with "the street" signifying the general public or ordinary people in everyday situations.
In practice, a journalist or researcher will venture out into public spaces, such as parks, shopping centers, or streets, to approach people at random and ask them questions related to a specific subject. This technique enables the collection of diverse perspectives and real-time reactions. The respondents' answers are often used to provide anecdotal evidence or examples in news reports, articles, or qualitative research findings.
Man on the street interviews are notable for capturing the thoughts, experiences, and opinions of a cross-section of society. Since the selection of individuals is usually random, this method seeks to gather a wide range of perspectives and avoid potential biases. As a result, it offers a valuable tool for understanding public opinion, social trends, or popular sentiment as it relates to various issues and events.