totem (redirected from totemism)

the low man on the totem pole (American)

someone who has the least important position in an organization. He started as the low man on the totem pole and worked his way up to be manager.

See also: low, man, pole

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low on the totem pole

least important. He's the low man on the totem pole here. AIDS deaths are low on the totem pole compared with cancer and heart disease.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of totem pole (= a wooden pole with images of people and animals cut or painted on it)

See also: low, pole