coolie

American  

[koo-lee] / ˈku li /

Also cooly

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.

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adjective

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

   working for coolie wages.

coolie British  

/ ˈkuːlɪ /

noun

1. a cheaply hired unskilled Oriental labourer

2. derogatory an Indian living in South Africa

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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.

Etymology

Origin of coolie

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

Example Sentences

Madonna corset dress with a coolie hard hat.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2011

Giridharadas introduces us to fascinating characters: The shoeless son of a coolie who transforms himself into a local Dale Carnegie, teaching others how to reinvent themselves.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2011

Tan Kah-kee arrived in Singapore in the 1900s as an indentured coolie, constructed an empire that included shipping, plantations, newspapers, trucking lines, went bankrupt and emerged again wealthier than ever.

From Time Magazine Archive

Saint Laurent set off his ensembles with high-heeled boots and a variety of hats, including pillbox and coolie styles.

From Time Magazine Archive

"He's the only honest man amongst us, by Heaven!" he said loudly, so that the coolie driver gave him a nervous glance, and drew away.

From Poppy The Story of a South African Girl by Stockley, Cynthia