Demotic
/dɪˈmɒt.ɪk/noun
Relating to ordinary people or the everyday language of a people, especially in contrast to a formal or literary style.
Did you know?Demotic was also the name of an Egyptian script used for everyday writing, separate from sacred and monumental forms, so the word literally carries the energy of common speech versus priestly power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
dēmotikós
“of or for the people”
Late Greek
Greek
dēmotikḗ
“the popular Egyptian script used in daily life”
Late Latin
Latin
demoticus
“of the people”
17th Century
English
demotic
“popular, common, or pertaining to ordinary people”
Modern English
English
demotic
“relating to ordinary people or everyday language”