Clapham omnibus

Clapham omnibus
(BrE)
a phrase like the man in the street, which means the average ordinary English person (of either sex). The phrase has been in use since the 1890s when the word ‘bus’ was already replacing ‘omnibus’. The choice of the bus from Clapham, an area of south-west London, has no special meaning; it is just a typical bus from a fairly ordinary place:

What will the man on the Clapham omnibus think of this new tax?

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clapham omnibus —   (UK)   The man on the Clapham omnibus is the ordinary man in the street …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • the man on the Clapham omnibus — ➡ Clapham omnibus * * * …   Universalium

  • Clapham omnibus — …   Useful english dictionary

  • The man on the Clapham omnibus — is a reasonably educated and intelligent but non specialist person a reasonable person, a hypothetical person against whom a defendant s conduct might be judged in an English law civil action for negligence. This is the standard of care… …   Wikipedia

  • (the) man on the Clapham omnibus — the man/woman on the Clapham omnibus British an imaginary person whose opinions and behaviour are thought to be typical of ordinary British people. The man on the Clapham omnibus probably knows nothing about Rwanda. (usually singular) …   New idioms dictionary

  • (the) woman on the Clapham omnibus — the man/woman on the Clapham omnibus British an imaginary person whose opinions and behaviour are thought to be typical of ordinary British people. The man on the Clapham omnibus probably knows nothing about Rwanda. (usually singular) …   New idioms dictionary

  • man on the clapham omnibus — (UK) The man on the Clapham omnibus is the ordinary person in the street …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • man on the Clapham omnibus — (UK)    The man on the Clapham omnibus is the ordinary person in the street.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Clapham — Maisons dans Sibella Road. Géographie Pays …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Omnibus — may refer to: Contents 1 See also Law Omnibus bill, a single legislative document containing many laws or amendments Omnibus spending bill, a single legislative document that sets the budget of many government departments Omnibus clause …   Wikipedia

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