The term ‘downtrodden‘ derives from the combination of ‘down‘ and ‘trod,‘ where ‘trod‘ is the past tense of ‘tread.‘ The prefix ‘down‘ suggests being beneath or overpowered. The term has been used since the early 17th century to describe those who are oppressed, subjected to harsh conditions, or trampled upon metaphorically by the powerful. The concept encapsulates the idea of being treated unfairly and lacking the means to rise above one's circumstances. The word conveys a sense of vulnerability and suffering experienced by a group of people who are marginalized or exploited.