what or who is public enemy?
2007-02-10 12:25:36 · 4 answers · asked by Paintballer 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
http://ie.encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/public%20enemy
2007-02-10 12:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by Magic Guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a rap group called Public Enemy, but prior to that, the FBI used to publish a list of the top ten public enemies, or 'most wanted', so Public Enemy #1 was the most wanted in the United States.
2007-02-10 20:35:02 · answer #2 · answered by T J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
J. Edgar Hoover's propaganda machine coined this phrase. During the Depression era, some gangsters and psychopaths were so outrageous and far-reaching that calling them mere 'criminals' seemed inadequate.
JEH and his #1 assistant (his lover?), then developed the "Ten Most Wanted List" with photos posted in post offices across the country. It captured the public's interest and is still in use.
Now, "public enemy" is used as a term to describe anyone whose acts go beyond typical criminal behavior (robbing ATM machines, burglaries, etc.).
2007-02-10 20:34:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A public enemy is a enemy of the people. Or a criminal whose has gone beyond the range of just regular crimes.
2007-02-10 20:46:25 · answer #4 · answered by A question or two... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋