Martov's supporters, who were in the minority in a crucial vote on the question of party membership, came to be called Mensheviks, derived from the Russian word меньшинство (minority), while Lenin's adherents were known as Bolsheviks, from большинство (majority).
Martovs tilhængere, som var i mindretal i en afgørende afstemning om spørgsmålet om partimedlemsskab, blev kaldt mensjevikker, der stammer fra det russiske ord меньшинство (minoritet), mens Lenins tilhængere var kendt som bolsjevikker fra большинство (flertal).