Meanings
comparative lower on the totem pole · superlative lowest on the totem pole
- idiomaticoffensivepossiblyAccorded 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."
1 more example
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
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
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.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish alhaalla toteemipaalussa
- alhaalla toteemipaalussanot important
Romanian cel mai puțin important
- cel mai puțin importantnot important
Russian име́ющий ни́зкий ранг, низкора́нговый
- име́ющий ни́зкий ранг (iméjuščij nízkij rang)not important
- низкора́нговый (nizkorángovyj)not important
Cite this entry
low on the totem pole. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low%20on%20the%20totem%20pole
“low on the totem pole.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low%20on%20the%20totem%20pole. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “low on the totem pole,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/low%20on%20the%20totem%20pole.
Source: low on the totem pole on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.