A kowtow / ˈ k aʊ t aʊ / is the act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. In Sinospheric culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence. It was widely used to show reverence for one's elders, superiors, and especially the Emperor of China, as well as for religious and cultural objects of worship.
Do cows have toes?
Cows do have toes, but they are probably not what you think. On each foot, cows have two separate digits (toes) which are connected to their hooves. Similar to other cloven-hooved animals like pigs, goats, and sheep, cows have hard hooves on the end of their toes, which helps them walk over rough terrain.
What do you call the toe of a cowboy boot?
We’ll go with generic names like “round toe” or “extra pointy toe” rather than the brand-specific names that cowboy boot manufacturers create. CLASSIC: The true shape of a classic cowboy boot toe is a subject that gets cowboy boot enthusiasts fired up.
How many digits on a cow’s foot?
On each foot, cows have two digits, which are connected to their hooves. Cow hooves are actually the cow’s toenails. They are made from keratin, the same material that human nails and hair is made from.
What is the meaning of the word cowtail?
Definition of cowtail. : a wool of the coarsest grade sheared from the hind legs of the sheep. You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Why is it called kowtow?
Kowtow is derived from the Chinese word k'o-t'ou, which literally means “knock the head.” As a verb, kowtow has the sense of “sucking up” or "flattering." Maybe you're wondering when it would be appropriate to kowtow. The answer? When you want to worship, show respect, gain favor, or flatter.
Is it cow down or kowtow?
You can tow a cow to water, but you can't make it drink. But the word that means bowing worshipfully before someone comes from the Chinese words for knocking one's head on the ground, and is spelled kowtow.
How do you use kowtow in a sentence?
Kowtow in a Sentence 🔉The dictator beheaded the man who refused to kowtow to him by kissing his feet.If Jason does not kowtow to the boss, he will never get a promotion at work.My chauvinistic husband divorced me because I would not kowtow to his every whim.More items...
What does the expression cow tail mean?
: a frayed end of a line where the strands have come unlaid.
Do people still kowtow?
Today, only vestiges of the traditional usage of the kowtow remain. In many situations, the standing bow has replaced the kowtow. For example, some, but not all, people would choose to kowtow before the grave of an ancestor, or while making traditional offerings to an ancestor.
Can you say kowtow?
The word is pronounced 'cow-TOW' with the stress on the second syllable. It is mostly used to show disapproval. When you 'kowtow' to someone in authority, you do everything you can to please him.
Is kowtow ethical?
Kowtow garments are certified by non-profit internationally recognised organisations. Independent audits and accreditation bodies ensure we remain true to our values. We support fair wages, no child labor, gender equality & grower community.
Is kowtow Japanese?
The term is used in Japanese politics such as "dogeza-gaikō" (土下座外交) which is translated to "kowtow diplomacy" or "kowtow foreign policy". In general, dogeza is translated into English as "prostration" or "kowtow".
What is the kowtow ritual?
kowtow, also spelled kotow, Chinese (Pinyin) keitou or (Wade-Giles romanization) k'o-t'ou, in traditional China, the act of supplication made by an inferior to his superior by kneeling and knocking his head to the floor.
What is the difference between oxtail and cow tail?
What is the difference between oxtail and cowtail? In truth, oxtail is just the imported version of our local cow tail. In the olden days, oxtail came from the tail of an ox but now it comes from the tail of a cow of either sex. It is then skinned and cut into short lengths for sale.
Where did cow tails originate?
Original Caramel Cow Tales® were introduced by Goetze's Candy Company in 1984. They are made from the same secret family recipe used to make Goetze's Caramel Creams® (a.k.a. "Bulls-Eyes®").
What are bovine eyes?
Cow eyes or "bovine eyes," as one Brazilian professor once put it, is NOT a compliment. It means having a bored or disconnected look in your eye. Audrina Patridge from The Hills and Dancing with the Stars has permanant cow eyes or the "dead behind the eyes" look as I once heard a comedian describe her.
How to pronounce KOWTOW in English
How to pronounce kowtow. How to say kowtow. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary. Learn more.
Kowtow Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Kowtow definition, to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference. See more.
kowtow | Chinese ritual | Britannica
kowtow, also spelled kotow, Chinese (Pinyin) keitou or (Wade-Giles romanization) k’o-t’ou, in traditional China, the act of supplication made by an inferior to his superior by kneeling and knocking his head to the floor. This prostration ceremony was most commonly used in religious worship, by commoners who came to make a request of the local district magistrate, and by officials and ...
What is the meaning of "kowtow"?
Kowtow originated as a noun referring to the act of kneeling and touching one's head to the ground as a salute or act of worship to a revered authority. In traditional China this ritual was performed by commoners making requests to the local magistrate, by the emperor to the shrine of Confucius, or by foreign representatives appearing before ...
Where did the word "kowtow" come from?
The word kowtow derives from Chinese "koutou," formed by combining the verb "kou" ("to knock") with the noun "tou" ("head"). The noun had arrived in English by 1804, and the earliest evidence for the verb dates from 1826.
What does "kowtow" mean for kids?
Kids Definition of kowtow. : to obey a person in a position of power in a way that seems weak : show overly respectful attention "And don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle-Beard is your father.". — Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief.
What is a kowtow in a sentence?
Examples of kowtow in a Sentence. Verb you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you. Recent Examples on the Web: Verb And she was indeed defined by a steely independent streak that did not kowtow to outsiders, whether established civil rights figures or the leader of the free world.
What does "kowtow" mean?
kowtow. ( ˌkaʊˈtaʊ) vb ( intr) 1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom. 2. ( often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards) n. the act of kowtowing.
Who said "kowtow" to a president?
The Labour leader said Prime Minister Theresa May was wrong to " kowtow " to a president who tore up international treaties and used "racist and misogynist rhetoric". Corbyn pulls out of Trump banquet. It is downright pathetic for Malacanang to kowtow to Beijing's wishes all the time,' the party-list lawmaker said.
What is a cowboy's toe?
Real, classic cowboy boots feature a toe that is tapered (i.e. smaller towards the tip), but also rounded. The shape of this toe let the cowboy of the old west easily slip his foot in and out of the stirrups. The rounded toe was just a little more practical than the extreme point.
When were rounded toe cowboy boots popular?
The rounded toe was just a little more practical than the extreme point. POINTED: Pointed toe cowboy boots have been popular since at least the 1950s, but have been particularly prominent in modern fashion since the early 2000s.
What is a broad square toe?
A broad square toe gives the toes the most room to spread out, making boots with this shape an excellent footwear choice for people who are on their feet all day. Ariat Ramblers and several models of Ariat Fatbaby Boots both feature a broad square toe. cowboy boots, fit guide, women.
What is round toe boots?
ROUND TOE: Round toe boots are very comfortable, as they allow the toes a little more room to spread out. Many western work boots come with round toes, as do “ropers,” the popular boot for rodeo calf-ropers. This toe shape is generally not ideal for riding long distances but is a great choice for a walking boot or casual boot.
What is a square toe on a walking boot?
A Square toe can be found on riding boots and walking boots and is a great alternative to the more traditional styles. BROAD SQUARE TOE: Broad square toes are shown on some of the best-selling boots on the market today.
Can you change the size of a pointed toe cowboy boot?
Pointed toes can be “needle pointed” (come to a sharp point), or can be slightly blunted (snipped) at the end of the toe. When you order a pointed toe cowboy boot, there is no need to change your boot size since the brand takes the room requirements for the pointed toe into account.
What is the practice of kowtow?
Prostration is a general practice in Buddhism, and not restricted to China. The kowtow is often performed in groups of three before Buddhist statues and images or tombs of the dead. In Buddhism it is more commonly termed either "worship with the crown (of the head)" (頂禮 ding li) or "casting the five limbs to the earth" (五體投地 wuti tou di)—referring to the two arms, two legs and forehead. For example, in certain ceremonies, a person would perform a sequence of three sets of three kowtows—stand up and kneel down again between each set—as an extreme gesture of respect; hence the term three kneelings and nine head knockings ( 三跪九叩之禮 [ zh] ). Also, some Buddhist pilgrims would kowtow once for every three steps made during their long journeys, the number three referring to the Triple Gem of Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Prostration is widely practiced in India by Hindus to give utmost respect to their deities in temples and to parents and elders. Nowadays in modern times people show the regards to elders by bowing down and touching their feet.
When did the word "kowtow" come into use?
The word "kowtow" came into English in the early 19th century to describe the bow itself, but its meaning soon shifted to describe any abject submission or groveling. The term is still commonly used in English with this meaning, disconnected from the physical act and the East Asian context.
What is the kowtow ceremony?
In the most solemn of ceremonies, for example at the coronation of a new Emperor, the Emperor's subjects would undertake the ceremony of the "three kneelings and nine kowtows", the so-called grand kowtow, which involves kneeling from a standing position three times, and each time, performing the kowtow three times while kneeling. Immanuel Hsu describes the "full kowtow" as "three kneelings and nine knockings of the head on the ground".
What does "ke" mean in Chinese?
An alternative Chinese term is ketou; however, the meaning is somewhat altered: kou ( 叩) has the general meaning of knock, whereas ke ( 磕) has the general meaning of "touch upon (a surface)", tou ( 頭) meaning head . The date of this custom's origin is probably sometime between the Spring and Autumn period, or the Warring States period of China's history because it was a custom by the time of the Qin dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC).
Is the kowtow still used?
The kowtow, and other traditional forms of reverence, were much maligned after the May Fourth Movement. Today , only vestiges of the traditional usage of the kowtow remain. In many situations, the standing bow has replaced the kowtow.