The Great Unwashed

I've noticed that this expression is used for political protesters who participate in street-marches, and conservationists who campaign against industrial developments.

Broadly speaking, then, anyone who has the temerity to challenge a decision made by the 'suits' - to use a converse phrase.

Those who won't pay campsite fees, but always seem to have enough for beer and stinky cigarettes.

Today, I am one of them.

Apparently first used in print by the man who gave us "it was a dark and stormy night." From the Phrase Finder
>This rather disparaging term was coined by the Victorian novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton. He used it in his 1830 novel Paul Clifford: "He is certainly a man who bathes and ‘lives cleanly’, (two especial charges preferred against him by Messrs. the Great Unwashed)."

Others aren't sure if Bulwer-Lytton coined it or was just the first to use it in something published. He also came up with "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword."

Me too.

Hoi polloi.

God I miss you lot.

Aaaaaaaaaay, Vanessa the professor - howya doin'? Miss you too.

Venessa was apprently alerted to the One Million Lonely Planeteers thread.