"Who is who" typically refers to a listing or reference work that provides biographical information about notable or prominent people in a particular field or society. It is often used to denote a collection or compilation identifying the important or distinguished individuals within a specific group. More precisely, "Who's Who" is a well-known title for such biographical reference works, the oldest being the British publication started in 1849 that lists influential people in British life. These works include brief biographies and details about people who stand out in areas like government, politics, academia, business, sports, and the arts. The phrase "who's who" is also used metaphorically to describe the elite or leading figures in any group or field.
In summary:
- "Who is who" or "Who's Who" refers to a directory or compilation of prominent people.
- It is both a general term and a formal title for famous biographical collections.
- Such compilations are respected sources of brief biographies of influential figures in various domains.
This term is distinct from the unrelated World Health Organization acronym WHO, which stands for a United Nations agency focused on global health.
