2007-06-15 01:01:11 · 6 answers · asked by Grinning Football plinny younger 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I believe it stems from ancient China ..peasants having to bow to their superiors !
2007-06-15 01:16:30 · answer #1 · answered by northwalian 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kow Tow [å©é ] (from ancient China) is an act of deep respect in which you kneel and bow so low as to touch your head to the ground. Normally this act is offered to deity and emperor/empress or people of a much higher statue. Or in some case if you apologize or beg for a favor, and want to show your sincerity, you might choose to humble yourself and "kowtow". So "Kowtowing to somebody" is kinder to submitting and humbling yourself entirely (or even partially) to that person.
2007-06-15 01:17:06 · answer #2 · answered by Dennis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Kowtow" is an adaptation of the picturesque Chinese word "koutou," which comes from "kou" meaning "to knock" and "tou," meaning "head."
Originally, "koutou" referred to the Chinese practice of touching one's forehead to the ground in an expression of deep respect and utter submission. "Kowtow" is also used as a noun in English to denote this act. These words found their way into English about 200 years
ago.
2007-06-15 01:08:19 · answer #3 · answered by Otter 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
To put it simply, it comes from a Chinese expression which means to bow in submission. The imagery suggests that the speaker will not allow anyone to take advantage of him/her or humiliate him/her in any way.
2007-06-15 01:35:45 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Kowtow" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowtow
"kowtow" : http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000728
"kowtow", The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. : http://www.bartleby.com/61/58/K0105800.html
2007-06-15 01:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by Erik Van Thienen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good answer you beat me to it almost word for word.
2007-06-15 01:09:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋