a man
A person, or "one," often a soft way of saying I.
Updated September 21, 2026
a man pronunciation
/uh MAN/
Meaning
Used like "a body" or formal "one." In mountain and Southern talk it can mean people in general, or the speaker talking around themselves. "A man can't get a fair shake" may really mean the talker feels shortchanged. The phrase does not always pick a male; it is the old generic wording, though you hear it more from men.
How folks use it
- “A man can't look himself in the face if he lets folks walk all over him.”
- “Reckon a man could get a cup of coffee around here?”
Origin and etymology
Older English and Scots used "man" for a person in general, much like German "man." That indefinite habit stuck in Appalachian and Southern speech alongside cousins like "a body."
Frequently asked questions
Does "a man" only mean a male person?
Not always. In this use it often means "a person" or "I." Still, adult men say it more than other speakers.