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capopopolo

populist leader; demagogue

noun kah-poh-POH-poh-loh Rare

Usage Note

Capopopolo literally means 'head of the people' and refers to a populist leader or rabble-rouser — someone who leads through emotional appeal to the crowd rather than institutional authority. It carries a mildly pejorative or ambiguous tone in modern usage. Gender is masculine (il capopopolo); the plural is capipopolo (irregular compound plural). It is used in political journalism.

Examples

"Si atteggiava a capopopolo nei comizi."

Natural Translation

He played the populist leader at rallies.

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