Dictionary

low on the totem pole en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

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.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, offensive, possibly) Accorded relatively little importance.
   • 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. 2004, Intelligent Systems, translated by Nintendo of America, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo, GameCube, level/area: Rogueport:

Forms

Antonyms

high on the totem pole

Translations (4)

ro cel mai puțin important (not important) · fi alhaalla toteemipaalussa (not important) · ru низкора́нговый (not important) · ru име́ющий ни́зкий ранг (not important)