marginal man

noun

, Sociology.

1. a person who participates only slightly in the life of two cultural groups without feeling identified with either group.

Word History and Origins

Origin of marginal man¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The guard is mainstream society’s last representative; the inmate, its most marginal man.

From Literature

But knowing that the painter was a black freedman prompts one to speculate about the relationship between the solidly respectable sitter and the socially marginal man who immortalised him.

From Economist

To some of the more sophisticated in the game, he rates as a marginal man.

From Time Magazine Archive

We have heard much about the "marginal man," but the first concern of society should be for the bottom man.

From Project Gutenberg

Such thought takes account of the 'marginal man' too.

From Project Gutenberg