In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
KOWTOW
kowtow, kotow
(noun) a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick, kowtow, kotow, suck up
(verb) try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; “He is always kowtowing to his boss”
scrape, kowtow, genuflect
(verb) bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
kowtow (third-person singular simple present kowtows, present participle kowtowing, simple past and past participle kowtowed)
(intransitive, figuratively) To grovel, act in a very submissive manner.
(intransitive, historical) To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.
(intransitive) To bow very deeply.
Noun
kowtow (plural kowtows)
The act of kowtowing.
Source: Wiktionary
Kow*tow", n. & v. i.
Definition: The same as Kotow. I have salaamed and kowtowed to him. H. James.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
21 June 2025
SUFFOCATION
(noun) the condition of being deprived of oxygen (as by having breathing stopped); “asphyxiation is sometimes used as a form of torture”
Coffee Trivia
