SEARCH UNSPINNING THE SPIN: THE WOMEN'S MEDIA CENTER GUIDE TO FAIR AND ACCURATE LANGUAGE

To determine if a word or phrase is fair or accurate, type it into the search box. Or return to the Unspinning the Spin home page.



WMC Unspinning the Spin

common man

common citizen/person/voter, average citizen/person/human/human being/voter, ordinary person/citizen/human/human being/voter, everyday person, layperson, taxpayer, voter, resident, householder, homeowner, landowner, passerby, one of the people, citizen, the nonspecialist, commoner, rank and file. "The common man" also translates well as "ordinary people."


SHARE

[SHARE]

Article.DirectLink

ABOUT

Unspinning the Spin: The Women's Media Center Guide to Fair and Accurate Language

By Rosalie Maggio


 

ALPHABETICAL ENTRIES:
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z

INTRODUCTION by Robin Morgan and Gloria Steinem

WRITING GUIDELINES

Recent Articles
WMC IDAR/E
Publications that Skipped Latine Writers Missed Bad Bunny's Message
WMC Climate
Women’s Income Loss From Climate Change Is Much Higher Than Men’s
WMC features
Dalit Women’s Movement Adapts for New Generations
WMC Women Under Siege
The Taliban’s New Criminal Code Is Governing Women Out of Existence
WMC FBomb
How Young Women’s Musical Obsessions Shape the Industry
WMC Live
WMC Live #501: Alpha Males. (Original Airdate 4/19/2026)
WMC Speech Project
What women politicians’ online harassment tells us about degraded democracy
WMC SheSource
Experts on: Iran, Artemis II, Russian drone attack on Ukraine, Pam Bondi, removal of environmental protections for Rice's whales, Tax Day, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
WMC Unspinning
Zulu