Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[BFEL]

If they're so Roman why aren't they buildin they war machines and conquerin' they neighbors wit' superior group tactics?!? They don' seem very Roman at all dis guy says!

<BFEL is joking, please don't smack the BFEL>

[palsch]

I've heard 'gypo' as a slur, but I've heard anyone claim 'gypsy' is a slur here in Britain either.

The way I had it explained, in school in Britain, is that 'gypsy' is generally considered a slur. However, Gypsy is considered, by some sub-populations, an accepted term. Never use gypsy in any context, but maybe use Gypsy if you are sure you are talking to someone who considers themselves one. Getting it wrong is like using the N-word in Harlem.

More recently there has been a lot more online from Romani individuals decrying the use of the term by non-Romani groups who have adopted it, despite it's history of use as a slur against the Roma population. The vast majority of the use today is by people who have nothing to do with and no idea of the Roma people, basically inventing a fantasy culture completely detached from the actual population who it's a slur against.

Which is to say, on the one hand it's a term associated with ghettos, holocaust, discrimination and hatred, while on the other hand it used in a completely unrelated way to sell 'ethnic' clothing, music and a lifestyle to people who have no idea about the former. Needless to say this annoys some people.

[Vector]

I've heard 'gypo' as a slur, but I've heard anyone claim 'gypsy' is a slur here in Britain either.

I hear "gypped" quite frequently. You know, like we used to have "jewed."

I think we should change it to "corped." Short for "corporation." "Man, that fucker at the shop really corped my ass."

[Neonivek]

I didn't know the word "Jyped" actually was spelled gypped.

I always thought it was a offshoot of Jynxed.

The more you know.

[Sheb]

But is it really a slur? As that article points out, to many Americans, Gipsy is a profession, or a lifestyle, not a race (while Romani would be a race I guess).

[Vector]

But is it really a slur? As that article points out, to many Americans, Gipsy is a profession, or a lifestyle, not a race (while Romani would be a race I guess).

Yeah... no. Maybe to the current generation, but I really don't think that the previous sees it that way.

[Angle]

Corped? I like that. I'm using that from now on.

[Sheb]

The thing is, for it to be a slur you need an history of it being used in a offensive manner. That's why nigger is a slur, but african-american is not.

Now, I'm sure such an history exist for the word Gipsy in Europe, but in an American context? I don't know.

[nenjin]

The thing is, for it to be a slur you need an history of it being used in a offensive manner. That's why nigger is a slur, but african-american is not.

Now, I'm sure such an history exist for the word Gipsy in Europe, but in an American context? I don't know.

As Vector pointed out, "gypped" has been in the American English vocabulary for a while. I remember hearing it as far as back as the late 80s. Now, Americans may not really know why it's a word but it definitely gets used. And I don't think ignorance of a word's origin is a protection against it being offensive.

[scrdest]

Funnily, 'nigger' used to be the sensitive term once. Insult treadmill.

AFAIK, the people themselves recognize themselves as 'Gypsies' rather than 'Romani', at least in the terminology here.

[Tiruin]

Funnily, 'nigger' used to be the sensitive term once. Insult treadmill.

Once? So it's normal now to use nigger? o_O It's not an insult now!?

[Sheb]

Gypped would be totally offensive, yeah.

[nenjin]

Funnily, 'nigger' used to be the sensitive term once. Insult treadmill.

This is news to me. I've heard a lot of racial slurs in my time, but none more directly offensive than that.

[scrdest]

Funnily, 'nigger' used to be the sensitive term once. Insult treadmill.

Once? So it's normal now to use nigger? o_O It's not an insult now!?

Sensitive, as in 'politically correct'.

[Neonivek]

Funnily, 'nigger' used to be the sensitive term once. Insult treadmill.

AFAIK, the people themselves recognize themselves as 'Gypsies' rather than 'Romani', at least in the terminology here.

Basically just about ANY term that is in use long enough becomes insulting.

Heck I believe "African American" is already on its way to being considered an insult.

Moron (or Idiot I forget) to Retarded to Mentally retarded to mentally disabled to mentally delayed to I have no idea what the PC term is now.

Oddly Idiot and Moron managed to become normalized because now adays it is just a term that refers to someone stupid. Moron more so then idiot.