The character was based on a blackface minstrel figure, and the name "Golliwog" is a play on the word "golly", which was a slang term for a Black person.
Here's a breakdown of its origin:
* 1895: Florence Kate Upton created the Golliwog character for her book "The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg."
* Early 1900s: The Golliwog became popular in England, appearing in toys, clothing, and other merchandise.
* Late 1900s: The Golliwog character began to be seen as offensive and racist. This was due to its association with blackface minstrelsy, which has a long history of racial stereotypes and dehumanization.
The Golliwog is now widely considered to be a racist caricature and its use is strongly discouraged.