Word: plebian (noun, adjective)

Associations

The word "plebian" refers to common people, especially in ancient Rome. It can describe ordinary citizens who were not part of the elite or noble class. Today, it often means something or someone ordinary, common, or low in social status.

• Example 1: "The plebian citizens gathered in the marketplace." Here, it means common people.
• Example 2: "He had plebian tastes, preferring simple food over fancy dishes." This means ordinary or simple.
• Example 3: "The plebian class struggled for political rights in ancient Rome." This shows the social group meaning.

Synonym: "commoner." The difference is that "plebian" often refers to historical or formal contexts, especially ancient Rome, while "commoner" is more general for any ordinary person.

Substitution

Instead of "plebian," you can say:

• commoner (more general, everyday use)
• ordinary person (neutral, less formal)
• proletariat (focuses on working class, often in political contexts) Changing the word can make the meaning more or less formal or specific.

Deconstruction

"plebian" comes from Latin "plebeius," related to "plebs," meaning the common people of Rome. The root "pleb-" refers to the masses or the general population, not the elite. There is no prefix or suffix here; it is a direct borrowing from Latin.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a modern situation where calling someone "plebian" might be offensive or funny?
• How would you describe your own tastes: plebian (simple) or more refined?
• Why do you think ancient Rome had a special word for common people? How does this compare to today?