The name used to generally describe the working class or poor in society. In Communist-Lingo, meaning the class of society that doesn't own the means of production (Factories, mines etc.) but works for them, selling their laboring power in order to survive.
'Look at that stupid proletariat working at the machine over there.'
"The Proletariat have nothing to lose but their chains, they have a world to win. Workers of all countries, unite!" - Karl Marx
74👍 15👎