Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

low on the totem pole

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.06 in modern English

Syllables: low on the -totem pole
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Accorded relatively little importance.

Offensive

Example Sentences

"1965, 7th of April, Washington Observer, King Defends Alabama Boycott, Answers Critics Gaston said, however, that the boycott would not substantially affect Negroes because they are "so low on the totem pole.""
"He's new to the Pianta syndicate. I think he's still the low man on the totem pole."

Etymology

Derived from totem poles, traditional sculptures of wood made by American Indians, usually with several figures carved one above the other. The vertical order was mistakenly perceived by the non-Indians to correspond with the figures' rank of importance.

Usage

Offensive

Inflected Forms

lower on the totem pole (comparative) lowest on the totem pole (superlative)

Antonyms

high on the totem pole

Questions

What does low on the totem pole mean?: Accorded relatively little importance.
Where does low on the totem pole come from?: Derived from totem poles, traditional sculptures of wood made by American Indians, usually with several figures carved one above the other. The vertical order was mistakenly perceived by the non-Indians to correspond with the figures' rank of importance.

How to pronounce low on the totem pole

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