forgotten man: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Journalistic, political discourse, sociological analysis.
Quick answer
What does “forgotten man” mean?
An ordinary person, especially a male worker or average citizen, who is ignored, neglected, or whose interests are overlooked by the government, political parties, or society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ordinary person, especially a male worker or average citizen, who is ignored, neglected, or whose interests are overlooked by the government, political parties, or society.
Can refer to any individual or group that has been marginalized, disregarded, or left behind by economic progress, social change, or political discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is used in both varieties with the same core meaning. It originated in a 19th-century British poem but gained major political traction in 20th-century American discourse.
Connotations
In UK contexts, it may have a slightly more historical/literary feel. In US contexts, it carries strong political and economic policy connotations from its use during the Great Depression.
Frequency
More frequent in US political and economic commentary, especially during periods of economic downturn or populist rhetoric.
Grammar
How to Use “forgotten man” in a Sentence
[Determiner] forgotten man of [Social/Political Domain]to speak for the forgotten manto leave the forgotten man behindVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forgotten man” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The forgotten-man narrative resonated with many voters.
American English
- He ran a forgotten-man campaign focused on rural workers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in discussions about consumer bases or workforces that are underserved.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and history to discuss populism, social policy, and economic disparity.
Everyday
Used in political discussions and news commentary to criticise policies that ignore ordinary people.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forgotten man”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forgotten man”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forgotten man”
- Using it to mean a man with a poor memory (that's 'a forgetful man').
- Using it for a single, specific person rather than as a symbolic collective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the phrase is historically gendered, it is now used as a fixed expression to refer to any ordinary, neglected person or group, often inclusive of 'forgotten men and women'.
It was popularised in the 1932 speech by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, though it appeared earlier in an 1883 poem by William Hurrell Mallock and was used by sociologist William Graham Sumner.
Rarely. The term inherently describes a negative state of neglect. A positive spin would be on the act of 'remembering' or 'helping' the forgotten man.
'Common man' is neutral, simply describing an average person. 'Forgotten man' is a critical term implying that this average person has been actively ignored or abandoned by society or its leaders.
An ordinary person, especially a male worker or average citizen, who is ignored, neglected, or whose interests are overlooked by the government, political parties, or society.
Forgotten man is usually journalistic, political discourse, sociological analysis. in register.
Forgotten man: in British English it is pronounced /fəˈɡɒt.ən ˈmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /fərˈɡɑː.t̬ən ˈmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A voice for the forgotten man.”
- “Politics of the forgotten man.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a man standing in the shadows while a politician gives a speech about helping 'everyone' – he's the FORGOTTEN MAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A NARRATIVE (the forgotten man is a character left out of the story). VISIBILITY IS IMPORTANCE (to be forgotten is to be invisible and powerless).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'the forgotten man' in modern political discourse?