The phrase "the man in the street" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ðə mæn ɪn ðə striːt/. The first word, "the," is pronounced as a voiced dental fricative /ðə/, the second word, "man," is pronounced as a voiced bilabial nasal /mæn/, the third word, "in," is pronounced as a voiced velar nasal /ɪn/, and the last word, "street," is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative and a voiced alveolar stop /striːt/. This phrase is commonly used to refer to the average or typical person in society.
The term "the man in the street" refers to the average or common person, typically representing the general public or the everyday individual who lacks specialized knowledge, skills, or expertise in a particular field. It is an idiomatic expression used to describe the ordinary citizen who is not part of any elite group or profession, and who possesses neither exceptional abilities nor significant influence.
The man in the street is often considered to possess common sense and represents the perspective or opinions of ordinary people on various matters. As a figure of speech, this term is commonly used to highlight the viewpoint, concerns, or interests of the general population in public discourse, particularly when contrasting it with specialized or expert opinions.
The phrase can also be used to emphasize the average person's sensibility and pragmatic nature, as their perspectives generally align with those of the wider population. In this sense, "the man in the street" is considered a representative of the collective voice and values of society, encompassing the attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of the general populace.
Overall, "the man in the street" is a metaphorical term employed to symbolize the common individual who lacks exceptional qualities or status, yet holds significance in terms of reflecting broader societal sentiments and the average person's perspective.