People who buy goods from producers and sell them to consumers, acting as intermediaries between two other groups.
From 'middle' (occupying a position between two points) and 'men,' literally describing someone in the middle position of a transaction chain.
Middlemen often get bad reputations, but economists recognize they provide real value by handling storage, transportation, and risk—though the internet has eliminated many middlemen entirely for digital goods.
Middlemen is default male gendered language reflecting historical exclusion of women from merchant/brokerage roles. The term was codified when these professions were male-dominated.
Use 'intermediaries,' 'brokers,' or 'middlepersons' to remain gender-neutral and inclusive.
["intermediaries","brokers","agents","facilitators"]
Women have long served as trade intermediaries and merchants; 18th-century female traders and merchants were systematically written out of commercial histories.
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