denominator

Question

What does the phrase "lowest common denominator' mean?

Prajwalkr · Accepted Answer

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Prajwal

Fosse8 · Answer

It's a mathematical term, but it's often used as an expression meaning that something is aimed at the stupidest, least educated or least sophisticated members of its audience. It's very rare for it to be positive. The expression is most commonly used in entertainment, advertising or politics:

"This movie is pure lowest common denominator stuff" - the film is full of dumb populist elements (for example, jokes about bodily functions, big explosions, girls in bikinis).

"The President's speech pandered to the lowest common denominator" - the policies are all calculated to appeal to the widest audience possible, the sort of thing you can guarantee will be popular with voters even if it is impractical and a bad idea.

Anonymous · Answer

Hello, Vahabbayani:

Let's say that you are a teacher. You teach algebra.

There are 30 students:

10 are very smart.
10 are average ( so so)
10 are stupid (like me)

What do you do? If you teach for the smart ones, the average and the stupid will not understand; if you teach for the average. the very smart will be bored, and the stupid will not understand. So some teachers teach for the stupid ones. Then the very smart, the average, and the stupid all understand. (Of course, the very smart and the average will be bored.
That is why being a teacher is a very difficult job.)

HAVE A NICE DAY!

Vahabbayani · Answer

tnx <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Khoff · Answer

vahabbayanitnx

Please use real words! It doesn't take that long to type "Thanks"!

Vahabbayani · Answer

Sure. Thank you.

Khoff · Answer

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