mobile vulgusn.

c1599 W. Watson in T. G. Law Archpriest Controv. (1896) I. 95 The ignorance, lightnes & ever blindly weyghed affecccion of y^e mobile vulgus all considered.

1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 67 There followeth..another deuice plotted of purpose to make it seeme meet to the ignorant multitude..(for note this, that popularitie is the rouer they ayme at in all their proceedings, the mobile vulgus being euer wauering and readiest to run vpon euery change).

a1734 R. North Examen (1740) iii. vii. §89. 574 The Rabble first changed their Title, and were called the Mob in the Assemblies of this [sc. the King's Head] Club. It was their Beast of Burthen, and called first, mobile vulgus, but fell naturally into the Contraction of one Syllable.

1835 Chambers's Information for People 148/1 In these agitations, the populace of London was particularly active; and it was at this period [i.e. the late 17th century] that the term mob was first used. The word was an abbreviation of mobile vulgus, a phrase signifying ‘the unsteady vulgar’.

1925 H. L. Mencken in Amer. Mercury Jan. 123/1 Thus, even when mobile vulgus is not enraged against the criminal..it is delighted by the battle that goes on over him.

1994 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 22 Sept. 32/1 In medieval times it meant the mobile vulgus, the poor of society in their more volatile and threatening aspect.