How Do You Spell COOLIES?

Pronunciation: [kˈuːliz] (IPA)

The word "coolies" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /kuːliz/. "Coolies" is a term that was historically used to describe Asian indentured laborers who were brought to work in places like Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The word has a complicated history, as it was often used in a derogatory way to describe these workers. Today, the word is not commonly used and is seen as offensive by many people. It is important to be aware of the historical context and use more appropriate and respectful terminology.

COOLIES Meaning and Definition

  1. "Coolies" is a term that has historically been used to refer to laborers, particularly of Asian descent, who were brought in to work primarily in manual and physically demanding jobs during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The term originated from the Hindi word "kuli," meaning laborer or porter, and was commonly used in colonial India and China.

    Throughout the era of European colonialism and globalization, coolies were brought in large numbers to various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, to work in construction, agriculture, mining, and transportation industries. They were often subjected to exploitative conditions, low wages, and poor living arrangements, experiencing a form of indentured servitude.

    However, it is important to note that the term "coolies" is now considered derogatory and offensive due to its historical association with exploitation, discrimination, and systemic racism. The racial connotations of the term have perpetuated negative stereotypes and reinforced unequal power dynamics, leading to its abandonment as a respectful and inclusive language choice.

    As societal knowledge and understanding progressed, there has been a shift towards more politically correct terminology, such as "migrant workers" or "manual laborers," to describe individuals who engage in similar jobs and undertake arduous physical labor. This change reflects the recognition of human rights and the promotion of equality and respect for all individuals, irrespective of their occupations or ethnic backgrounds.

Common Misspellings for COOLIES

Etymology of COOLIES

The term "coolies" is derived from the Tamil word "kuli" (குலி) or "kuli-maistry" (குலி மைஸ்திரி) which means "hire" or "hireling". The word was initially used in the 19th century by British colonialists in India to refer to local workers they hired under contracts for manual labor, including construction of railways, plantations, and other projects. The term eventually gained broader usage beyond India and was associated with indentured laborers, typically from Asia, who were often subjected to exploitative and harsh conditions. Today, the term is considered outdated, derogatory, and offensive, as it perpetuates stereotypes and dehumanizes individuals who were forced into hard labor.

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