The phrase "more kowtowing" refers to excessively obeying or showing subservience. It is spelled /mɔː kauˈtaʊɪŋ/, with the stress on the second syllable. The 'ow' is pronounced as in 'cow' and the 'tow' as in 'plow'. The 'ing' is pronounced as a separate syllable, with a clear 'ng' sound. Interestingly, the word 'kowtow' was originally a Chinese word, meaning to bend the head in respect, which was adopted into English in the 19th century.
"More kowtowing" is a phrase that combines the concepts of "more" and "kowtowing" to convey an enhanced or intensified form of showing excessive respect, subservience, or deference towards someone or something. "More," in this context, indicates an increase in the extent or degree of the action being described, while "kowtowing" refers to a specific act of obsequious behavior originating from the Chinese tradition.
To kowtow is to bow down deeply and touch one's forehead to the ground as a sign of profound respect, submission, or worship towards a superior or authority figure. It involves an exaggerated display of deference, often emphasizing one's own lower social standing or inferiority. Therefore, "more kowtowing" suggests a heightened level of such behavior, characterized by an even deeper bow, a greater level of servility, or an intensified display of reverence.
The phrase "more kowtowing" can be used figuratively to describe situations where individuals or groups demonstrate excessive subservience, obedience, or compliance towards someone or something, often at the expense of their own dignity or independence. This term may be employed in a variety of contexts, such as political scenarios where leaders or nations exhibit unwarranted deference to powerful countries, or in personal relationships where one person excessively caters to the wishes and demands of another.