Is there a general consensus regarding which term is the multiplicand, and which is the multiplier in basic arithmetic multiplication?
In my notes I stated that in the expression $a \times b$ the left hand term $a$ is the multiplicand. I don't recall my original source. When viewed in terms of naive usage and Western left to right reading order, the multiplier should be the left term. That is, we read the expression as $a$ times $b$; meaning $b$ appears in the implied sum $a$ times.
A reference to an introductory math book predating Russell and Whitehead's Principia might be instructive.