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 ::::Sorry, but this is utter rubbish. I've spoken British English all my life and ""layman"" to me has always specifically meant a non-religious figure. The only two definitions in the OED are: ""A man who is not a cleric; one of the laity."" and ""A man who is an ‘outsider’ or a non-expert in relation to some particular profession, art, or branch of knowledge."" Where are you getting this ""religious figure"" definition from?    "