"Leader" is a primordially Russian word that in most cases people find in books, historical literature, telling about ancient times. That is what the head of a tribe was called earlier. It should also be mentioned that this word was rather actively used not only by primitive people.
Meaning and Origin
What does the leader mean? This word is borrowed from the Old Slavonic dictionary. To more accurately understand its meaning, you should open Ozhegov's dictionary. This source says that the word "leader" is not only the designation of the head of a clan community, but also a military leader, commander.
In the past century, it was customary to call politicians. For example, the so-called Stalin and Lenin. Answering a question about what a leader is, the following interpretation can be found in Ozhegov’s dictionary: ideological leader, universally recognized politician.
Bigman
This term can be found in English literature. It refers to a man who enjoys great influence, and is also the leader of a particular community. However, the words "leader" and "bigman" are far from synonyms. A big man can be any person who has gained a certain authority among the people around him. The leader is that person who belonged to a narrow circle of people. And only those people who had any particular origin could enter this circle.
Initially, neither the Bigmen nor the leaders had the habit of exploiting fellow tribesmen. But over time, these individuals began to actively use their own status. There is a difference between the previously mentioned concepts, but some philologists still consider them synonymous.
Leaders of the last century
Just recently, leaders were called leaders. This term was most widely used during the First World War. The leaders then called the heads of an authoritarian or totalitarian country. It is worth noting that in the German language there is the word "Fuhrer", which in translation means "leader", "leader". It was formed from the German verb "führen", which means "lead," "lead," "drive," "guide," "lead."
In Germany, as you know, Hitler was called the Fuhrer. And in those days, Joseph Stalin was considered the leader in the Soviet Union. But, unlike Lenin, Stalin quickly lost this name.
In sunny Italy, the leader was Mussolini. In this country he was called the "Duce."