The phrase “the third man” can refer to several things:
- The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene. The film stars Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Alida Valli, and Trevor Howard. It is considered one of the greatest films of all time, celebrated for its acting, musical score, and atmospheric cinematography. In 1999, the British Film Institute voted The Third Man the greatest British film of all time. In 2011, a poll for Time Out ranked it the second best British film ever.
The film is set in post-World War II Vienna, where American pulp novelist Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) arrives to find that his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) has died in a supposed accident. However, Holly soon begins to suspect that Harry is still alive and that he may be involved in a criminal racket.
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The third man is also a common phrase in espionage and mystery fiction, where it refers to an unknown or unseen person who is involved in a conspiracy or crime. The phrase is often used to create suspense and mystery.
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In psychology, the third man effect is a phenomenon in which people tend to remember three items more easily than two or four items. This effect is thought to be due to the fact that three items can be grouped into a pattern, which makes them easier to remember.
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The third man is also a slang term for a person who is a nuisance or a bother. This usage of the phrase is thought to have originated in the early 20th century.
I hope this helps!