coolie

[ koo-lee ]

noun

, Disparaging and Offensive.

1. an unskilled laborer, especially formerly in China and India.
2. an unskilled laborer employed cheaply, especially one brought from Asia.
3. a contemptuous term used to refer to an Asian, especially an Indian living in South Africa.

adjective

1. Informal. characteristic of or suitable for a coolie:

   working for coolie wages.

coolie

/ ˈkuːlɪ /

noun

1. a cheaply hired unskilled Oriental labourer
2. derogatory.
   an Indian living in South Africa

Sensitive Note

Both meanings of “unskilled Asian laborer” are found almost exclusively in historical contexts, suggesting imperialistic exploitation of these workers. But coolie is still current as an insulting term used to refer to a person of Asian descent, especially in South Africa.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coolie¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Urdu kūlī, from Tamil kūli “hire, hireling”

Word History and Origins

Origin of coolie¹

C17: from Hindi kulī, probably of Dravidian origin; related to Tamil kūli hire, hireling

Example Sentences

A coolie would pay as much as 400 pesos premium to find himself where he could earn up to 100 pesos per month.

From Project Gutenberg

The coolie-track had led them into the widest part of the Maidan, where it slopes to the south, and the huts of Bowanipore.

From Project Gutenberg

I made my way with one coolie to a spot some little distance above our First Advanced Camp.

From Project Gutenberg

As the night was closing in a coolie was observed running down the last steep sandy slope to our camp.

From Project Gutenberg

One coolie, and then two others, fell out and could not be induced to come further.

From Project Gutenberg