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Deleted member 149562
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In recent times more sectors of the human population have become too easy to be offended...there is no denying that many of us have ushered a deep sigh when yet another historically and often complimentary term or nickname is misunderstood and labelled as offending someone or something
A good example of this was on TV last night.
Coolie......and yes, it is often seen in fishkeeping as an alternative spelling to Kuhli (loach)
The history and meaning of the word is frequently misconstrued, mailigned and misunderstood.
The word was actually two words : Coo Li
It was first used in Asia in the 1890's, most specifically in parts of China, Singapore and Malaysia, for men on lowest income. These men would work on the docks, loading and unloading the ships. Back then the ships were all loaded and unloaded by hand, the goods often carried on or slightly above the head.
The word actually meant, using direct translation : Brute Strength
This was accepted as a compliment by those who earned the nickname. A Coo Li was seen as an important person, a person not only working hard for their living but for their respective company, family and country.
However the nickname quickly became a derogatory term and an offensive nickname once it had started being used outside of Asia. US slavery, WW1, WW2 all had the word used widely but not always in a complimentary role. The term was soon used in an occasionally extreme way - as a weapon towards those who seemed below normal living standards either by financial and/or educational levels. But by the same token, it was more widely used as a compliment
During WW2 the nickname was adopted in both directions.....in India, Burma regions Coolies again would be the poorer villagers who would fetch and carry goods and equipment for the Allies, they also fought beside the Allies as guides through the rainforest areas. They were treated well, paid well (compared to what they could earn at home and the treatment from others at home, the Allies certainly did treat them very well). These people worked hard, earned the appreciation and huge respect of the Allied forces. Those who were the Coolies wore that nickname with pride cos it meant something good....just as it did for the men working hard in the dockyards all those years beforehand.
On the other hand the enemy would punish their Allied POW's whilst in camps and they would use the nickname in a derogatory way towards native people in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines when they invaded and took over, expecting their "Coolies" to work for them for nothing, be beaten and underfed.
So now you have both sides of a word, lost in translation and frequently seen as derogatory...but with a little bit of research and the removal of the automatic offended reaction...its true meaning can be discovered and can often surprise.
To be called a Coo li is not offensive in every aspect of life, it is not always derogatory. It can be a nickname to be proud of.
Brute Strength.
Nothing remotely derogatory about that.
So bearing in mind the age group here on TFF........and please be nice....what other nicknames, phrases or words have you come across that have been taken in totally the wrong way or twisted so badly that what was something complimentary has been turned into something bad....cos to hear other people's experiences and to maybe help to correct them is a good way to break down barriers where words are so often lost in translation
A good example of this was on TV last night.
Coolie......and yes, it is often seen in fishkeeping as an alternative spelling to Kuhli (loach)
The history and meaning of the word is frequently misconstrued, mailigned and misunderstood.
The word was actually two words : Coo Li
It was first used in Asia in the 1890's, most specifically in parts of China, Singapore and Malaysia, for men on lowest income. These men would work on the docks, loading and unloading the ships. Back then the ships were all loaded and unloaded by hand, the goods often carried on or slightly above the head.
The word actually meant, using direct translation : Brute Strength
This was accepted as a compliment by those who earned the nickname. A Coo Li was seen as an important person, a person not only working hard for their living but for their respective company, family and country.
However the nickname quickly became a derogatory term and an offensive nickname once it had started being used outside of Asia. US slavery, WW1, WW2 all had the word used widely but not always in a complimentary role. The term was soon used in an occasionally extreme way - as a weapon towards those who seemed below normal living standards either by financial and/or educational levels. But by the same token, it was more widely used as a compliment
During WW2 the nickname was adopted in both directions.....in India, Burma regions Coolies again would be the poorer villagers who would fetch and carry goods and equipment for the Allies, they also fought beside the Allies as guides through the rainforest areas. They were treated well, paid well (compared to what they could earn at home and the treatment from others at home, the Allies certainly did treat them very well). These people worked hard, earned the appreciation and huge respect of the Allied forces. Those who were the Coolies wore that nickname with pride cos it meant something good....just as it did for the men working hard in the dockyards all those years beforehand.
On the other hand the enemy would punish their Allied POW's whilst in camps and they would use the nickname in a derogatory way towards native people in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines when they invaded and took over, expecting their "Coolies" to work for them for nothing, be beaten and underfed.
So now you have both sides of a word, lost in translation and frequently seen as derogatory...but with a little bit of research and the removal of the automatic offended reaction...its true meaning can be discovered and can often surprise.
To be called a Coo li is not offensive in every aspect of life, it is not always derogatory. It can be a nickname to be proud of.
Brute Strength.
Nothing remotely derogatory about that.
So bearing in mind the age group here on TFF........and please be nice....what other nicknames, phrases or words have you come across that have been taken in totally the wrong way or twisted so badly that what was something complimentary has been turned into something bad....cos to hear other people's experiences and to maybe help to correct them is a good way to break down barriers where words are so often lost in translation