Coolie: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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coolie

 

[ หˆkuหli ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

laborer

The term 'coolie' historically referred to unskilled laborers from Asia, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These workers were often employed in low-paying jobs, such as manual labor on plantations, construction sites, or as porters in various industries. The word carries colonial connotations and is considered derogatory in contemporary usage, reflecting the exploitation and discrimination faced by these laborers. The use of 'coolie' has decreased significantly and is largely viewed as outdated and offensive in modern language.

Synonyms

laborer, migrant worker, worker

Examples of usage

  • The coolies worked long hours under harsh conditions.
  • Many coolies immigrated to various countries seeking better opportunities.
  • The legacy of coolies highlights the struggles of migrant workers.
  • Historically, coolies were essential for the railroad construction projects.

Translations

Translations of the word "coolie" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น carregador

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅเคฒเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Trรคger

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kuli

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบัƒะปั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ coolie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ฏใƒผใƒชใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท coolie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cargador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kuli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฟจ๋ฆฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒูˆู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ coolie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ coolie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่‹ฆๅŠ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ coolie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kuli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบัƒะปั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kuli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cargador

Word origin

The word 'coolie' originates from the Hindi word 'kuli', which means 'hired hand' or 'laborer'. It is believed to have entered the English language in the 18th century, reflecting the increasing interactions between colonial powers and Asian labor markets. Initially used to describe low-skilled laborers, particularly in the context of British colonial holdings, the term became further associated with the exploitation and mistreatment of these workers. In the 19th century, millions of coolies were transported from India and China to various parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, to work on plantations, railroads, and other labor-intensive projects. As global awareness of racial discrimination and colonial history has grown, the use of 'coolie' has been increasingly rejected, bringing to light the social injustices faced by these laborers.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,673, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.