Coolie vs Coulee – All the differences

February 2023 · 5 minute read

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.

Coolie vs Coulee

The main difference between coolie and coulee is that coolies are those people who help carry luggage for travelers. On the other hand, coulee is the form in which lava flows out of a volcano. The coolies are present near railways stations or bus depots. A coulee is a geographic phenomenon that takes place.

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 Between Coolie and Coulee

Parameters of ComparisonCoolieCoulee
Origin LanguageHindi and TurkishFrench
Field of StudyThe concept is studied in History and SociologyThe concept is studied in Geography and Geomorphology
Also known asPorter, mason, laborer, or helper Canal, trench, crevice, or fissure. 
Term used or found inConstruction sites, factories, bus depots, and railway stationsA volcanic eruption or an eroded region.
Type of conceptIt 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 often 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 often found near railway stations or bus depots, whereas a coulee develops near a volcanic eruption or an area of erosion. 
  • Conclusion 

    The terms coolie and coulee both have a similar pronunciation. Both of these terms originate from different languages. Coolie is a Hindi term, whereas coulee has a French origin to it. The pronunciation of these words sometimes differs due to the difference in the accent of both languages.

    Both of these terms have different meanings and come from vastly varied fields of study. The term coolie is generally used in sociological aspects to signify a laborer coming from the lower strata of society. The coolies often work as porters, masons, or other kinds of laborers. They usually work in factories or industrial mills.

    A stream or a source of water flowing through a crevice can also be called a coulee. A coulee is formable due to several geographical phenomena such as sudden volcanic eruptions, or the erosion of regions. These kinds of coulees are often found in the continent of North America.

    References

  • https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.98.2541.227
  • https://www.searchanddiscovery.com/pdfz/documents/2011/20108alexandre/ndx_alexandre.pdf.html
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