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View synonyms for conventional wisdom

conventional wisdom

noun

  1. something that is generally believed; prudence.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of conventional wisdom1

Probably earlier than 1965–70
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Idioms and Phrases

A widely held belief on which most people act. For example, According to conventional wisdom, an incumbent nearly always wins more votes than a new candidate. This term was invented by John Kenneth Galbraith, who used it in The Affluent Society (1958) to describe economic ideas that are familiar, predictable, and therefore accepted by the general public. Today it is used in any context where public opinion has considerable influence on the course of events.

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