cultus coolee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / ObsoleteArchaic, Historical, Offensive (in modern contexts)
Quick answer
What does “cultus coolee” mean?
An obsolete variant spelling of 'coolie', historically referring to an unskilled labourer from Asia, particularly one employed under a contract.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An obsolete variant spelling of 'coolie', historically referring to an unskilled labourer from Asia, particularly one employed under a contract.
A dated term of Chinese or Indian origin for a low-wage, often itinerant, manual worker. In modern usage, it is considered archaic and often derogatory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both historical variants; 'coolie' was more common in both regions. The 'cultus' spelling is a rare Anglicisation.
Connotations
Strong colonial/imperialist and exploitative connotations. Historically neutral in administrative documents, now carries heavy negative historical baggage.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or writing in either variety.
Grammar
How to Use “cultus coolee” in a Sentence
The [NATION] hired cultus coolees for [WORK].They were treated as mere cultus coolees.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cultus coolee” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cultus coolee system was abolished.
- They lived in cultus coolee barracks.
American English
- The cultus coolee trade was controversial.
- He worked a cultus coolee job on the railroad.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in specific historical studies of labour migration, colonialism, or etymology.
Everyday
Never used; considered offensive.
Technical
Not used in any modern technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cultus coolee”
- Misspelling as 'culture coolie'.
- Using it in a modern, non-historical context.
- Assuming it is a neutral or positive term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'cultus coolee' is a rare and obsolete variant spelling of 'coolie'. Both refer to the same historical concept of an indentured or contracted unskilled labourer from Asia.
No. The term is archaic and its modern counterpart 'coolie' is widely considered derogatory and offensive due to its association with exploitation and racist colonial attitudes.
Neutral terms depend on context: 'labourer', 'worker', 'manual worker', 'unskilled worker', or historically accurate terms like 'indentured labourer' or 'contract worker'.
'Coolie' (and thus its variant 'cultus coolee') likely derives from the name of a Gujarati or Tamil tribe, or from a word for 'wages'. The 'cultus' element is an erroneous or folk-etymology addition, possibly influenced by the word 'cultivate'.
An obsolete variant spelling of 'coolie', historically referring to an unskilled labourer from Asia, particularly one employed under a contract.
Cultus coolee is usually archaic, historical, offensive (in modern contexts) in register.
Cultus coolee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊl.təs ˈkuː.li/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʊl.təs ˈku.li/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms. Historical phrases include 'coolie labour'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CULTure of USe' for low-paid COOLEE labour – an old, culturally charged term for exploited workers.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN AS COMMODITY / DISPOSABLE TOOL
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you legitimately encounter the term 'cultus coolee'?