Non-mathematical Usage
'Lowest common denominator' is often used as a figure of speech meaning the most basic, least sophisticated level of taste, sensibility, or opinion among a group of people. The Oxford English Dictionary's earliest illustration comes from H. G. Wells' 1910 serialisation of The New Machiavelli: Most clubs have a common link, a lowest common denominator in the Club Bore, who spares no one. The term had been used earlier in 1906 by British Labour politician Stephen Walsh during a constituency speech.
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Famous quotes containing the word usage:
“Girls who put out are tramps. Girls who don’t are ladies. This is, however, a rather archaic usage of the word. Should one of you boys happen upon a girl who doesn’t put out, do not jump to the conclusion that you have found a lady. What you have probably found is a lesbian.”
—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)