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Low man on the totem pole means that the person is at the bottom in a hierarchical system. A totem pole is a statue of carved faces stacked one on top of the other. The face at the bottom is the last of the stack. The carved faces above it, would be higher up in rank or authority.
This is actually the reverse of the real meaning of a totem pole. In Native American culture, the figure on the bottom is supporting the other figures -- it is the most important one.
this is a meaning in which the man may be poor financailly of as a upstanding citizen. most occasion it is used in the financail sense
it means someone who is unimportant. if you are high on the totem pole you are the boss, and therefor the most important person
The totem was used by the native Americans as a tribute to the Spirits/Gods. They carved different types of animals into a large log depicting the important characteristics of a certain tribes belief systems. The different animals were always carved in order of their importance from the bottom to the top so "low man on the totem pole" would basically imply the least important of the group. In todays world we use it to express that a person has the least amount of authority in a company or organization, that he is required to report to someone in a higher position and usually can not make any company related decisions of his own.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe phrase has come to mean a person who is the lowest in rank. It's misleading because the bottom figure on an actual totem pole is actually the one considered most important.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe lower you were on the pole the higher you were in rank.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe lowest position on a totem pole is actually the position of highest honor
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Why did the amphibian lose his job?
he was the low man on the totem pole
Was it good to be low man on the totem pole?
No. Being low man on the totem pole means you are the last to receive some sort of benefit. Usually used as a saying at work but can be used for all sorts of situations.
Is low man on totem pole is of lowest status?
no, it's of the highest honor.
Why shouldn't totem-pole outputs be wire anded?
Totem pole TTL has the advantage of high speed and low power dissipation but itsdisadvantage is that it cannot be wired ANDed because of current spikes generation.
What is a sentence using the word hierarchy?
In the company's hierarchy, I'm the low man on the totem pole.
How do you know what order totem animals go in on a totem pole?
Totem poles can have a wide range of meaning and therefore do not have a set order. Meanings vary as much as the artists who build them. Totem poles are not pieces of worship, in fact, they tell a story, clan legend, cultural belief or event. The order of animals was erroneously believed to be so significant that the phrase "low man on a totem pole" became popular, but only with non natives. Many poles actually have the most important figure on the bottom, while others are placed in the middle.
What actors and actresses appeared in Low Man on a Totem Pole - 1964?
The cast of Low Man on a Totem Pole - 1964 includes: Dan Dailey as H. Allen Smith Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez as Pepe Martinez John Haveron as Man Diana Lynn as Nelle Smith John McGiver as Mr. Turnbull Cliff Norton as Manager Gloria Pall as Girl Irene Tedrow as Woman
Is there a Native American word for low man on the totem pole?
depends on the tribe since their is no language called Native American. My tribes don't have any word for it that I know of.
What does CST after a doctor's name mean?
It's a doctor who hasn't forgotten his/her roots. CST means certified surgical technologist, which is a surgical assistant to the doctors who is low down on the totem pole. Maybe your doctor did that job before medical school and is proud to show it at the end of their name.
How many privates are there in the army?
Job functions depend on what MOS they enlist at. But a Private is at the low end of the totem pole, so they'll get tasked with additional details and such.
Does the air above the north pole or south pole rise because it has low density and low pressure?
low pressure
What does the expression rock bottom mean?
you have hit an all time low in your life. "rock bottom"
