Ombudspersons

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Officials appointed to investigate and resolve complaints from the public against government agencies or large institutions
2. Public representatives who examine grievances lodged by citizens against administrative bodies and work to achieve redress
3. Officers authorized to receive and look into allegations of wrongdoing or poor service by governmental or organizational authorities

Etymology: Sweden gave English this office before English gave it a gender-neutral name. In Swedish, an "ombudsman" is an official who investigates citizens' complaints against public authorities. The title combines "ombud," meaning agent or representative, with "man," person. "Ombud" traces back to Old Norse "umboð," a commission or charge entrusted to someone acting on another's behalf. When the office spread to other countries, English adopted the Swedish word largely unchanged. The "-man" ending later drew objections as a gendered job title, so English speakers formed "ombudsperson" on the model of other neutral titles such as "chairperson." It takes the plural "ombudspersons," by adding -s to the second element. "Ombudsmen" remains the traditional plural and is still common.

Synonyms: ombudsmen, mediators, advocates