We explain what is common knowledge, what is its origin and meaning and the different meanings of this popular term.
What is common knowledge?
Vox populi or vox pópuli (Castilianized) is a Latin expression that translates as “voice of the people”, and that is used to describe something that is of knowledge public, that is, that everyone knows and repeats.
The original context in Latin is constituted by the complete proverb: “Vox populi, vox dei”, which translates “The voice of the people is the voice of God”, meaning that public opinion, however wrong it may be, usually has the greatest weight in one society and therefore it is not wise to openly contradict it.
This proverb has been used in various historical contexts, and those who have used it have not always been to subscribe to its literal meaning, that is, that the voice of the people is sacred and must always be obeyed, but also to warn about the capacity of ignorance of the masses.
However, the short form vox populi has been accepted in Spanish as an expression that denotes the known, evident, general character of an event or a information. For example, personal information that escapes the private sphere and becomes a rumor or something much commented on, it can be said that it has become common knowledge.
In any case, if something is common knowledge, it is because it is considered massive, common, widespread, popular, or it may even be obvious, obvious or universal.