In a message dated 5/24/2003 10:55:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< As an aside note, how many of you use the term "gyp" as in "I got gypped!!"
 Comes from the derogatory term for the Romany peoples of Europe - "gypsies".
>>

Having curated an exhibition of photographs of American Gypsies and looking
after a "Gypsy research" collection, I do not claim to be a great authority on
the subject, but I still know a little more than the average person.  It is
not universally true that "Gypsies" is a derogatory term, my expert
advisors--scholars in the field of Gypsy linguistics, culture, and anthropology--tell me.
In fact, Gypsies themselves seem to have invented the word, almost as a joke,
to suggest that they originated in Egypt (which, for the most part, they did
not).  Some groups, but not all, prefer "Romany," while many others prefer
"Gypsy" both to describe their particular culture and as a general term to cover
all the varied subgroups--Rom, Romnichels, Ludar, etc.  As one might expect,
precision in the nomenclature is difficult and confusing, and "Romany" does not
necessarily encompass all Gypsies.

Obviously, the word "gyp" is derived from unpleasant business transactions
which some non-Gypsies experienced with some Gypsies.  It is pejorative and
stereotyping and should be avoided.  But it is undeniable that SOME Gypsies, who
believe as part of their culture that they are innately superior to
non-Gypsies, have practiced deception and dishonesty in their dealings with non-Gypsies,
giving rise to the stereotyped slang.  I have always thought that one could
learn a great deal about bigotry by studying attitudes by Gypsies, who are
generally very insular, toward the larger cultures with which they interact, and
vice-versa.

But preferences for the names by which a group identifies itself can change
over time.  For all I know, there may indeed be a movement among Gypsies to
reject the term.  "Afro-American," for example, is considered dated and no longer
preferred, and has given way to "African American" (without a hyphen).
Library of Congress subject headings have been altered to reflect this usage.
"Negro" went out decades ago.

David Haberstich

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