The terms coolie and coulee are pronounced similarly. The word coolie is used to define a low-wage laborer. They are commonly given employment in south Asian countries.
A coulee is a french term used to describe a geographic landform. It is formed after a viscous flow of lava from a volcanic eruption.
Key Takeaways
- A coolie is an offensive term historically used to describe unskilled laborers, particularly in Asia. At the same time, a coulee is a geological term for a steep-sided, dry or seasonal streambed carved by erosion or glacial activity.
- The term “coolie” is derogatory and should not be used, as it perpetuates stereotypes and stigmatizes workers from certain backgrounds.
- Both terms have different meanings and contexts, with “coolie” relating to labor and social issues and “coulee” relating to geography, geology, and natural formations.
Coolie vs Coulee
Coolie refers to a laborer, especially of Asian descent, who is hired for hard manual work, while coulee is a term used in North America to describe a steep-sided gully or ravine that is dry but carries water after heavy rainfall.
A coolie is a term used for a laborer in India and its neighboring nations. These coolies assist in lifting loads, transporting luggage, and construction.
The coolies residing in India also migrated to other countries to find job opportunities. Many coolies worked as laborers during the reign of the British in India.
A coulee has multiple definitions and meanings. The most common meaning of a coulee is a landform developed due to a sudden volcanic eruption.
A coulee is a deep valley-like structure. It is also known as a stream of flowing water found in deep trenches or mountain slopes.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Coolie | Coulee |
|---|---|---|
| Origin Language | Hindi and Turkish | French |
| Field of Study | The concept is studied in History and Sociology | The concept is studied in Geography and Geomorphology |
| Also known as | Porter, mason, laborer, or helper | Canal, trench, crevice, or fissure. |
| Term used or found in | Construction sites, factories, bus depots, and railway stations | A volcanic eruption or an eroded region. |
| Type of concept | It is a profession. | It is a geographic phenomenon. |
What is Coolie?
A coolie is a person who assists people in carrying heavy luggage or goods. They are also known as porters. The term coolie is used primarily in South East Asian countries.
Coolies are widely seen in India and Sri Lanka. The word coolie is a Hindi word that has some origins in the Turkish language.
Coolies are also laborers who perform menial jobs of carrying luggage. The coolie trade was similar to African slavery.
However, several laws and rules against slavery helped the coolies live a respectful, hardworking life.The coolies did the same work that the slaves did. However, as compared to slaves, the job of a coolie was contractual and paid.
Coolies performed different kinds of work in other countries. Some were employed in sugar industries, while some worked in construction sites.
In India, coolies are commonly employed to carry and transport goods. The travelers who board and deboard trains are helped by the coolies. The coolies carry their luggage and help load them to their vehicles safely.
Coolies are normally paid less for their services. They have menial jobs and come from the lower strata of society. Generally, coolies are male. However, there are reports of female and children coolies who are employed as daily-wage workers.
What is Coulee?
A coulee is also a scientific term that means the flow of lava. The sudden and massive flow of lava erupting from a volcano is known as a coulee.
The region that develops after the lava cools down and settles is also known as a coulee. A coulee can also form due to massive erosion or melting of glaciers.
The word coulee refers to a geographic landform that is similar to a valley. The term is also spelled as coulée and pronounced as ‘kuh-ley’. It originates from the French verb ‘couler’ that means ‘to flow’.
A coulee landform is primarily dry, but the region fills up during the rainy seasons. Many coulees are present across several states of the United States of America. The Grand Coulee in Washington is one of the most known geographic landforms in the USA.
In other regions, a coulee signifies a stream or water body. Any source of flowing water is referable to as a coulee. A small canal or stream are words synonymous with the term coulee.
It is formable due to erosions on mountains. A coulee has a deep and steep slope through which water flows. The crevice or a fissure that developed near a volcano is also called a coulee.
Main Differences Between Coolie And Coulee
- A coolie is a person who works as a daily-wage laborer, whereas a coulee is a geographic landform formed by a volcano or erosion.
- A coolie is also known as a porter or helper, whereas a coulee is also known as a small stream.
- The word coolie originates from the Hindi language, whereas the word coulee comes from the French language meaning ‘to flow’.
- The term coolie has historic relevance and sociological aspects, whereas the term coulee has geographic and scientific significance.
- A coolie is found near railway stations or bus depots, whereas a coulee develops near a volcanic eruption or an area of erosion.
- https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.98.2541.227
- https://www.searchanddiscovery.com/pdfz/documents/2011/20108alexandre/ndx_alexandre.pdf.html
Last Updated : 24 July, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
