vox populi

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformalliterary

   The opinions or voice of ordinary people in general, especially as a source of authority or legitimacy.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'the': the vox populi. Often in the phrase 'vox populi, vox Dei'.

   Patterns

   • the vox populi
   • listen to the vox populi
   • vox populi, vox Dei

   The newspaper claimed to speak for the vox populi, but its readers were mostly wealthy.

   Politicians ignore the vox populi at their peril.

   The phrase 'vox populi, vox Dei' means 'the voice of the people is the voice of God'.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   A short interview or set of interviews with members of the public, used in broadcasting to show popular opinion.

   Grammar: Usually shortened to 'vox pop' in this sense; countable: a vox pop, several vox pops.

   Patterns

   • do a vox pop
   • a vox pop on the street

   The reporter did a vox pop outside the stadium to hear fans' predictions.

   They included a vox pop in the evening news, asking people about the new tax.

   A vox pop can be a quick way to gauge public feeling.

Common combinations

the vox populi

The editorial argued that the vox populi should guide the reform.

vox populi, vox Dei

The Latin saying 'vox populi, vox Dei' is often quoted in debates about democracy.

a vox pop

The radio station ran a vox pop asking commuters about the train strike.

Synonyms and how they differ

public opinion

The standard everyday term; vox populi is more formal and literary, often used for rhetorical effect.

popular voice

A literal English equivalent, but less fixed as a phrase than vox populi.

Commonly confused: vox populi or vox pop? vox populi or vox popoli?

Practice

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