A recent visit to the London suburb of Clapham reminded me of this quaint British phrase. Originally a legal expression originating in the 19th century, it means 'an ordinary, reasonable person'. It is now mostly used humorously as a mock archaism. It is probably the only context in which 'omnibus' is still used in the sense of 'bus'.
I wonder if there are any equivalent expressions used elsewhere.
The man on the Clapham omnibus
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: The man on the Clapham omnibus
Does "see how it flies in Peoria" work?
I guess "man on the corner" is too non-specific.
I guess "man on the corner" is too non-specific.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
Re: The man on the Clapham omnibus
Yes, that seems to be a similar idea.Does "see how it flies in Peoria" work?
A rather different kind of character is Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.
Re: The man on the Clapham omnibus
Another interesting Britishism is 'going Bodmin' - losing one's marbles. Oh, and I love 'how's your father'.
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: The man on the Clapham omnibus
Man on the street...
Flyover country (outside the DC Beltway, Midwest)
John Doe
Flyover country (outside the DC Beltway, Midwest)
John Doe
pl
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