cooly
2
9.9
- noun
- /ˈkuːli/
- Slur
- He referred to the workers derogatorily, calling them coolies instead of acknowledging their efforts.
- Chinese coolies
Examples
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They were coolies and yet they organized the laborers and they went on strike for the rights of the working man.
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Long lines of desert Africans have gathered outside the British camp, looking for work as coolies.
Fiction book (2002) -
We can still hear the noise of the coolies outside.
Fiction book (2002) -
Do you think you can treat Gary like one of your coolies?
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You think I wanna be out here on the edge of creation with a bunch of coolies?
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Those coolies are tough to handle, aren't they?
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Harry and the other coolies gather sticks and desert shrubs, building a makeshift wall around the camp.
Fiction book (2002) -
Harry is force-marched with the other coolies, prodded on by the Egyptian overseers.
Fiction book (2002) -
The company hired coolies to do the heavy lifting during the construction project.
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Many coolies worked long hours under harsh conditions in the fields.
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word cooly comes from Asian words for low-paid workers, such as Hindi kuli meaning 'hired worker' and Chinese kǔlì meaning 'bitter strength' for hard labour. It was used in the 1800s to name immigrant labourers and has become an offensive slur, so it should not be used.