Who said “To the man-in-the-street, who, I'm sorry to say, is a keen observer of life. The word…”?

Verified

W. H. Auden. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Double Man · New Year Letter (1941)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Double Man · New Year Letter (1941).

APA

Auden, W. H. (n.d.). To the man-in-the-street, who, I'm sorry to say, is a keen observer of life. The word ''Intellectual'' suggests straight away. A man who's untrue to his wife. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24410-to-the-man-in-the-street-who-im/

MLA

Auden, W. H. “To the man-in-the-street, who, I'm sorry to say, is a keen observer of life. The word ''Intellectual'' suggests straight away. A man who's untrue to his wife.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24410-to-the-man-in-the-street-who-im/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Auden, W. H. “To the man-in-the-street, who, I'm sorry to say, is a keen observer of life. The word ''Intellectual'' suggests straight away. A man who's untrue to his wife.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24410-to-the-man-in-the-street-who-im/.