the lower classes; the common people
Refers to ordinary people or the lower social strata, often in historical or hierarchical contexts. Can carry a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone.
In the Edo period, life for the common people was harsh.
He is a politician who listens to the opinions of ordinary people.
Standard kanji spelling for the reading しもじも.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 下々.
Reduplication of 下 (しも, 'lower') with rendaku voicing, yielding しもじも. The alternate reading したじた is a parallel formation from 下 (した).