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.
Related Words
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