Golliwog

Coined by Florence Upton (1873-1922) an American-born illustrator and writer of children’s books living in London. In 1895, her book The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg was published. Upton’s black-faced Golliwogg doll was an instant success with British children and twelve more books followed about Golliwogg adventures. Upton was not a very astute businessperson and failed to register the name Golliwogg. British toy companies altered the name slightly to Golliwog and took up the idea, producing a range of Golliwog dolls and badges. Only the teddy bear was more popular. In 1910, the Robertson Jam Company started its long association with the Golliwog symbol. During World War II, the word wog was being used to describe black or swarthy coloured people. (It is believed that the word wog derived from golliwog despite folk etymologies that maintain it is an acronym for worthy or wily oriental gentleman.) This sounded the death knell for golliwogs, which by the late 20th century were viewed as racially insulting. Robertson Jams formally terminated their 92-year association with the golliwog in 2002.